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 The Checklist for Learning Multidimensional (Star) Schema Data Modeling 

There is another checklist to consider before looking at the checklist for using the tools themselves. When you use Analysis Services to build multidimensional cubes, you have to have source data that is organized multi-dimensionally. I usually recommend that organizations transform their data to get it into a multidimensional (or star) schema. If you don't create a physical star schema as the source for your cubes, you at least have to use a logical star schema.

In my experience, one of the biggest challenges of implementing Business Intelligence is learning how to design a multi-dimensional schema and to design the data transformations needed to move data into that schema.

Here's the checklist:

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We understand the difference between using data in transaction processing (OLTP) and using data for analytical purposes (as in data warehousing or OLAP).

We understand the following star schema terminology and concepts:
               +Fact Table

               + Measure

               + Granularity

               + Dimension Table

               + Dimension

               + Level

               +Member

               + Attribute

              + Surrogate Key

              + Degenerate Dimension

              + Changing Dimension

We know how to model measures in a fact table, with an appropriate level of granularity.

We know how to model dimensions, with appropriate levels and attributes.

We know how to handle situations where data for the measures, dimensions, levels, or attributes is missing.

We know how to handle changing data in the levels and attributes of the dimensions.

We know how to model situations where one fact table record is related to more than one record in a particular dimension.

We can look at a normalized relational database and can visualize how that data could be modeled in a star schema.

We know how to move data from a normalized database into a fact table.

We know how to move data from a normalized database into a dimension table.