This chapter focuses on identifying who or what that will serve as the cornerstone of your analytical base table (ABT). The target population forms the backbone of your analysis, encompassing the specific entities—be it individuals, customers, accounts, or other units of analysis—that your model seeks to understand or make predictions about. A clear and precise definition of this population is not just a technical step; it is a strategic one, ensuring the scope of your data aligns seamlessly with the business objective. But the influence of the target population extends far beyond the number of records in your ABT—it shapes the selection of variables, their importance, and, ultimately, the accuracy and relevance of your final model.