What are the best practices for communicating a dimensional model?

Key steps involved in validating and verifying a dimensional model. These include: - Testing the model with a sample of data to ensure it produces the expected results. - Ensure consistency. - Reviewing the model with subject matter experts to ensure it meets the requirements. - Checking the model for compliance with data governance and security policies. - Reviewing the model for data quality issues, such as incomplete or inaccurate data.

Some best practices for communicating a dimensional model include using visual representations like diagrams, providing clear definitions and standardized terminology, organizing and documenting the model, using business-friendly language, incorporating examples and scenarios, collaborating with stakeholders, and providing documentation and training materials. These practices help ensure clarity, understanding, and alignment among stakeholders regarding the structure and purpose of the dimensional model.

You really have two choices for presenting dimensional models nontechnically: 1) Simplified graph interface. Drop the PK/FK references, add some verbs to the edges ('Is purchased by'), add big understandable nouns to each table ('Customers') 2) Don't make it dimensional at all. Flatten it into a big table. People are used to working in spreadsheets and understand them intuitively.

In my experiences; some techniques in format focus that help me to communicate with several stakeholders are: ✔️ Use conceptual data model approach to explain dimension and fact tables: They need to understand how structure is, in self-service product. ✔️ Separate space to show simple nomenclature terms inside presentation of tables. ✔️ If required; have fields will contained inside dimension and fact tables in additional anexo of presentation.

👨🏻🏫 Be consistency in color, letters and icons for your own notation to express visual concepts inside and throught each slides in your presentations when create visual components like visual diagrams or flows. Use business terms as possible as can inside diagram of dimensional model and notation.

Explain these dimensional models like a narrative story: ✅ Begin with business goals and processes related with it. ✅ How challenges are related these goals and processes: be clear with root points of challenges. ✅ Introduce the data modeling in how front these root point with key points from modeing. ✅ Explain how key points are reflected in structure, logic and rules about it. ✅ Give example of business area with data modeling. ✅ How benefits additional from data modeling in technical and product area. ✅ Resolve Q&A from audience.

Here are some best practices I always keep eye for communicating a dimensional model: - Create an entity relationship diagram showing the linkages between fact tables and dimensions. - Use data lineage diagrams and metadata to fully trace dimensions back to source systems and business processes. - Utilize validation rules, reference tables, and applied business logic within table designs to ensure integrity of dimensional components. Accurate mappings provide reliability. - Validate & demonstrate fitness for consumption by sample reporting. Adhering to disciplines like documentation, diagramming, validation, exploration, sampling, and governance ensures that dimensional model is reliable for analysis and reporting.

Best practices for communicating a dimensional model: -Audience Alignment: Explain concepts using simple, non-technical language with real-world examples. -Use Clear Visual Diagrams: Utilize Entity-Relationship diagrams to visually represent the dimensional model. -Showcase Business Process Alignment: Demonstrate how the model aligns with business processes and objectives using the Enterprise Bus Matrix. -Focus on Key Dimensions and Facts: Highlight the main dimensions and fact tables, detailing their roles and relationships using the Conceptual Data Model Diagram. For more technical audience, use Logical Data Model Diagram. -Iterative Feedback: Present the model in stages, incorporating stakeholder feedback for refinements.