Microsoft® SQL Server 2012 Unleashed

An Analytics Mini-Methodology

To successfully build OLAP solutions, you are advised to carefully assess the requirements of your end users in as detailed fashion as is possible. A mini-methodology that focuses on the essential usages and characteristics of an Analytic solution can prove invaluable. The following sections outline a solid approach to nailing down your BI requirements and yielding optimal OLAP designs that solve your end users’ needs.

Assumption: You are building a business area–focused OLAP cube.

Requirements Phase

1. Identify the processing requirements for this DSS. What analysis do you need to do? Are trend reporting, forecasting, and so on necessary? These can often be represented in use case form (via UML).

a. Ask each user ...