Learn T-SQL Querying

sys.dm_exec_query_plan

The sys.dm_exec_query_plan DMF is another helper function like sys.dm_exec_sql_text that retrieves the estimated execution plan based on plan_handle. You can call sys.dm_exec_query_plan on its own with a valid plan_handle, or you can leverage CROSS APPLY with views like sys.dm_exec_query_stats that contain a plan_handle column.

The value that is returned in the query_plan column is in XML format but querying this view in SSMS will show the XML as a link. When clicked, the link will open as a graphical plan in a new tab.

We can use the plan_handle we found earlier in the sys.dm_exec_procedure_stats section to retrieve the estimated plan for the uspGetEmployeeByDepartment stored procedure, as in the following example: ...