Dimensional modeling life cycle and work flow

The life cycle of a dimensional model includes design, test, transform, and production phases.

Life cycle of a dimensional model

Throughout the life of a dimensional model, there are four key phases:
  1. Design: You can use the workbench to create dimensional models.
  2. Test: You can use the workbench and other querying tools to analyze and test a dimensional model against a database (usually a test database).
  3. Transform: You can transform your data models to work with other querying tools or to continue developing your data models and applications.
  4. Production: You deploy the dimensional model, and users can query against the database.

Using the workbench to create dimensional models

The workbench is designed to support the various phases of the dimensional modeling life cycle. You can create new dimensional models from scratch, or you can modify existing dimensional models and continue to refine an existing design. The workbench can analyze the models to ensure that the models conform to dimensional modeling standards. Then you can transform the data models if necessary, or move the model to the production environment.

Note: To deploy a dimensional model, generate a DDL script or create a change management script.

In the workbench, the metadata for the dimensional model is known as dimensional notation. You can change the dimensional notation of an object by changing its properties. You can also enable or disable dimensional notation on a data model.


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