A method is provided for loading data from a source database to a target database that includes at least one table. Prior to loading the data from the source database into the target database, at least one referential integrity constraint and/or at least one consistency requirement regarding the data is automatically identified. A subset of the data that satisfies the at least one referential integrity constraint and/or consistency requirement is then automatically identified. The identified subset of the data is then loaded into the target database as a unit of work.