Embodiments are directed to managing a data model that includes data objects associated with layers of the data model may be provided. A lineage model that includes lineage objects that has one or more lineage objects associated with a layer may be provided. A lineage object associated with a layer may be activated. A first portion data objects may be determined based on the activated lineage object. An anchor object may be determined from the first portion of data objects. A search of the data model may be employed to provide dependency information based on a position of the anchor data object in the data model. A second portion of data objects may be determined based on the dependency information. A report that includes a list of the second portion of data objects, the dependency information, or the like, may be provided.