Abstract: Presented herein are declarative virtual data model management techniques, sometimes referred to herein more simply as declarative management techniques, for creating, controlling, and managing the lifecycles of virtual enterprise data models. In one example, a data virtualization server receives a Data Definition Language (DDL)-based introspection statement that statement identifies a data source resource. The data virtualization server connects to the data source resource identified in the DDL-based introspection statement and introspects the data source resource identified in the DDL-based introspection statement. The introspected data source resource is used to form at least part of a virtual enterprise data model.