Because of a lack of offerings in the Belgian market, element61 has developed training on Dimensional Data Modeling. Details on the training objectives and target audience can be found below. The training is an ideal start for people new to Data Warehousing.
Course description
Dimensional models constitute the beating heart of any sound Business Intelligence & Data Warehousing system. In other words, the quality and the final acceptance of our Business Intelligence solution are uttermost dependent on the quality of the dimensional models.
In essence dimensional modeling boils down to logically modeling the business requirements. It is however quite different from normalized modeling as we are used to in an ERP/OLTP-like situation.
This 2-day course (basic and advanced) on dimensional modeling is based on Ralph Kimball’s book, the Data Warehouse Toolkit. The course will take off by explaining the fundamentals in terms of dimensions & facts and the corresponding dimensional process. It will offer a view of methods & templates which can be used to accelerate & document. In the advanced part, it will also delve deeper into amongst others history tracking, the various existing fact-types, multi-valued dimensions, heterogeneous dimensions, and facts. Throughout the course, special situations are discussed and several exercises, based on real-world cases, are given. In short, a full understanding of dimensional modeling techniques, which are required to design a successful relational dimensional model based on the Kimball star schema techniques, is offered.
To avoid confusion, this course will not deal with matters such as architecture or Data Vault techniques.
Duration
Training is spread over 2-days, which can be followed independently from each other, depending on your readiness and entry-level. Day 1 consists of the more basic topics as an introduction to the base concepts of data warehouse dimensional modeling. Day 2 has a more advanced scope to take your basic knowledge to the next level. Day 2 can be followed by participants who already have a sound basis but want to advance their knowledge.
Learning outcomes
The dimensional training will handle underneath modules/topics
Introduction
- Data warehouse introduction
- OLTP versus dimensional modeling
- Dimensional process (basics)
- + Methodology
- Facts & dimensions (basics)
- + surrogate keys
- Visual aids
- + information matrix, standardization, naming conventions, data modeling tool
Advanced
- Dimension advanced
- dimension outriggers, role-playing dimensions, conformed dimensions, multiple currencies/unit of measure, calendars, time zones, languages, mixing grains, variable-depth hierarchies, multivalued-dimensions
- Fact types
- transactional facts, periodic snapshots, accumulating snapshots, factless facts, aggregates, consolidated facts, dedicated reporting facts
- Slowly changing dimensions
- Type 1, type 2, type 3, type 6, type 0
Target audience
This course is intended for professionals with limited to intermediate knowledge of modeling in the context of Data Warehousing & Business Intelligence. This includes data architects, data modelers, business analysts, business intelligence designers, project managers, and DW/BI developers.
Prerequisites
Suggested prerequisites: General Data Warehousing & Business Intelligence knowledge. No dimensional modeling prerequisites.
Format
The training consists mainly of plenary lecturing with a limited set of additional exercises. The course can be taught in both English and Dutch, also on-site at the customers' premises.
Cost
675 € per participant per day
Trainers
Philippe Purnelle holds a Master's Degree in Computer & Human Sciences from the ULB. He has been working in Business Intelligence & Performance Management ever since 1999. In his 18 years in Business Analytics, he has been actively involved in providing end-to-end BI and CPM solutions to customers, including Project and Team Management, BI roadmap definition, user requirements analysis, dimensional modeling, data quality, ETL development, database design, Business Intelligence front-end suites, planning, and budgeting.
Sven Bracke graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor's in Computer Sciences at the Industriële Hogeschool Brussel. He started his career as Information Analyst at EDS where he designed Oracle applications and developed strong SQL skills on various projects. While getting more interested in Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence, he took up roles as a Data Warehouse designer, ETL developer, and Business Intelligence analyst. Sven has over 15 years of experience in this area and a proven track record at IBM Cognos, LACO, and Deloitte. In April 2017 Sven joined element61 as Principal Business Analytics Architect.
More information or registration
- For more information, contact academy@element61.be
- The training schedule can be found in the Academy Calendar (PDF)
- For a complete overview of all courses, visit our Academy page