SAS Rapid Data Warehouse Methodology

When developing a Data warehouse it is important support the development of the architecture with a model or framework.
Rapid Data Warehouse Methodology
The SAS Rapid Data Warehouse Methodology is an example of management model that could increase the chance of success. The framework is based on the experience gained from hundreds of warehouse projects.
The methodology has seven steps that groups logical phases and provides milestones to verify that projects has a solid foundation.
Every step contains disciplines that could be discussed in detail but the scope of this publication is to introduce some of the key element seen from a high perspective.
Assessment (Step 1)
* Identify the organization's readiness for undertaking a DW project.
** Who are the stakeholders?
*** Strong top management sponsorship is central for success.
*** Business motivation is central for success.
** What is the current infrastructure? - Are data available?
** Is there a business need for BI?
*** What challenges or obstacles might surface - identify them early so that you can act on them. TCO
Requirements (Step 2)
* Gather requirements and acceptance criteria
** Identify the users eg., the users from the organization that has knowledge about the business.
** Staffing - Front office, Coaches, Core project team.
** Business cases, TCO and expected benefits. Define acceptance criteria - Its a key factor that these are measurable so success can be confirmed.
Design (Step 3)
*Analyze and design the warehouse system architecture and confirm the acceptance criteria.
** Design the data warehouse
*** BPMN/UML is a excellent tool for understanding the business processes.
*** Design the high level Dimensional model. A description of the relationship between facts and dimensions.
Construction (Step 4)
* Construct and populate the warehouse. Code and test applications.
** Create the system - Database, relations, keys trough prototyping
Final test (Step 5)
* Test the warehouse and make sure it meets the specifications of the requirements document.this can be done by cross validation testing and also by testing the each phase of the data warehouse.
Deployment (Step 6)
* Roll out the environment and perform an acceptance test.
Review (Step 7)
* Review the project process and the impact of the DW/BI on the organization.
** Did the project meet the success criteria

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