Data Warehouse Databases & Data Warehouse Software Tips!

The need for a data warehouse and/or a decision support system is usually a long time in the making. All companies need information to make important decisions, and that information usually comes from analyzing historical data and identifying trends. In recent years, data warehouses have stepped into the picture as a solution for the organization and storage of data; and decision support systems are quickly usurping the role of the data analyzer.

But how do you know when your company is ready for a full-fledged data warehouse? What if you have a data warehouse that doesn't seem to work effectively?

According to Larry Bramblett, principal of Data Warehouse Solutions, LLC, an organization must be mature to implement or to operate a successful data warehouse. "The best way to assess an organization's maturity is to take a look of the Capability Maturity Model for Software. It helps organizations to look at existing software and processes to be able to see the next step an organization is prepared to take," Bramblett said. "Most companies are at a level of chaos and are not ready to implement a data warehouse - they need synergy."

The Capability Maturity Model for Software (CMMS), developed by Carnegie-Mellon University, provides corporations with a standard to compare their business practices against when evaluating organizational maturity. In essence, the CMMS provides organizations with the knowledge needed to gain control of their process for developing and maintaining software and to evolve within the software's framework.

According to the CMMS, "in an immature organization, there is no objective basis for judging product quality or for solving product or process problems. Therefore, product quality is difficult to predict. Activities intended to enhance quality such as reviews and testing are often curtailed or eliminated when projects fall behind schedule."

But, "on the other hand, a mature software organization possesses an organization-wide ability for managing software development and maintenance processes. The software process is accurately communicated to both existing staff and new employees, and working activities are carried out according to the planned process : the defined processes are updated whenever necessary, and improvements are developed, roles and responsibilities within the defined process are clear throughout the project and across the organization."

Applying the CMMS to an organization means applying it to the existing database management structure - or to existing data warehouse methods. If an organization is immature:

• The first step is to create a disciplined process of working within the existing framework.
• The next step is to refine the process, making it standard and consistent throughout the organization.
• The third step is to document the process - creating a "book" of practices and methodology.
• The penultimate move is to successfully manage the detailed elements of the process - both quantitatively and logically.
• The final step is to optimize the process, by fine tuning elements as feedback is received from end users.

Taking these five steps to maturing an organization will give managers the tools needed to understand the requirements of the existing or planned data warehouse. In fully understanding the needs of the end-users a successful data warehouse can be created using the correct platforms, data storage, mining and analysis tools.

If an organization is immature, taking the CMMS' five steps to maturity will facilitate or improve on the existing data warehouse procedures of a business. Only when an operation fully understands the potential and process involved in a data warehouse, can it use the mined data to the fullest benefit.

Article Copyright 1998 Enterprise Interactive