BusIT 202 Dimensional Modeling

Linda Rumans
IT Faculty, Business Divison
(425) 564-3405
lrumans@bcc.ctc.edu

Business Intelligence Web-Site

Dimensional modeling has been broadly accepted as one of the principle techniques for effective design of data warehouses and data marts. This course focuses, not on design of operational databases, but rather on effective design of databases used for analytic purposes.  When a database is used for analysis rather than data collection, the principles for effective design change significantly.  No longer are we concerned with data normalization.  Rather, we are concerned with the ease of extracting information.  A poorly designed data warehouse leaves an organization without the core foundation for its business intelligence efforts.  A well-designed data warehouse provides the basis for strong analytic applications to support the mission and strategy of the organization.  In this course, students learn how to design effective and efficient data warehouses using the principles of dimensional design. Students apply design principles using aseries of case studies and hands-on exercises.

Required Text: The Data Warehouse Toolkit Second Edition: The Complete Guide to Dimensional Modeling, Ralph Kimball and Margy Ross, Wiley, ISBN 0-471-20024-7

Prerequisite: BUSIT 105 with a C- or better or permission of the instructor.