DATA WAREHOUSING FUNDAMENTALS: A Comprehensive Guide for IT Professionals

4.2. PLANNING YOUR DATA WAREHOUSE

More than any other factor, improper planning and inadequate project management tend to result in failures. First and foremost, determine if your company really needs a data warehouse. Is it really ready for one? You need to develop criteria for assessing the value expected from your data warehouse. Your company has to decide on the type of data warehouse to be built and where to keep it. You have to ascertain where the data is going to come from and even whether you have all the needed data. You have to establish who will be using the data warehouse, how they will use it, and at what times.

We will discuss the various issues related to the proper planning for a data warehouse. You will learn how a data warehouse project differs from the types of projects you were involved with in the past. We will study the guidelines for making your data warehouse project a success.

4.2.1. Key Issues

Planning for your data warehouse begins with a thorough consideration of the key issues. Answers to the key questions are vital for the proper planning and the successful completion of the project. Therefore, let us consider the pertinent issues, one by one.

Value and Expectations. Some companies jump into data warehousing without assessing the value to be derived from their proposed data warehouse. Of course, first you have to be sure that, given the culture and the current requirements of your company, a data warehouse is the most viable solution. After you have ...