Summary

Metadata is a fuzzy, complex subject. In this chapter, we defined metadata as information that describes the contents, structures, and operations of the DW/BI system. We described business, technical and process metadata, and briefly discussed the Common Warehouse Metamodel standard for data warehouse metadata. Next, we described the various sources and access methods for SQL Server 2005 metadata. The rest of the chapter was dedicated to our recommended approach for creating and managing metadata in your DW/BI system. Our approach begins with the requirement that the DW/BI team must assign the role of metadata manager to one of the team members . We then provide the metadata manager with eight steps to develop a metadata strategy. These steps are:

  1. Do a metadata inventory.

  2. Identify key metadata elements that you will actively use and manage.

  3. Identify the definitive location (system of record) for each element.

  4. Create tools to capture and store any needed elements that do exist in the SQL Server 2005 system.

  5. Create tools to synchronize and share metadata as needed.

  6. Educate the DW/BI team and key business users about metadata and their metadata roles and responsibilities.

  7. Determine and build the metadata delivery approach, especially for business metadata.

  8. Manage the metadata system and monitor usage and compliance.

The education step is critical to long- term metadata success. Everyone must view the creation and maintenance of metadata as being of equal importance as any other DW/BI task.

Keep in mind that metadata can evolve into an overwhelming enterprise project that will suck all the energy and enthusiasm out of anyone who gets trapped in its clutches We described our approach as Pretty Good Practice. It requires about 10 percent of the effort involved in a major metadata initiative, but returns a much greater percentage of the value. Use the business value measuring stick to determine how far you need to go down the metadata path .



Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit. With SQL Server 2005 and the Microsoft Business Intelligence Toolset
The MicrosoftВ Data Warehouse Toolkit: With SQL ServerВ 2005 and the MicrosoftВ Business Intelligence Toolset
ISBN: B000YIVXC2
EAN: N/A
Year: 2006
Pages: 125

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