Welcome to the second part of the Teradata performance optimization series. In this session, we will examine a primary culprit responsible for performance problems in a Teradata Data Warehouse system (though it likely applies to any Data Warehouse).
A sound data model can prevent potential performance problems in the early stages of a Data Warehouse project.
Most projects fail or are subpar due to clients with budget constraints. A well-designed data model requires investment but may not yield immediately visible outcomes.
Skilled data modelers are rare. Hiring a developer proficient in efficiently transferring data to the database is more cost-effective than employing a data modeler to draw diagrams merely.
The appeal of this method lies in its prompt availability of initial outcomes and the lower cost of employing developers compared to other positions within the data warehouse job hierarchy. In a brief span of time, you can yield favorable results for your client, which will lead to their satisfaction and assurance that their investment has not been squandered.
During the global economic downturn, the data warehousing sector required a marketing term to describe the decreased quality approach caused by daily rate reductions.
Prototyping was the new buzzword.
While prototyping is a good idea in principle, it often becomes the final solution. Prototypes were originally intended as a communication tool between customers and a base for requirement specification and further analysis. However, they frequently become both the final solution and a dead end.
Making direct changes to the source definit1. Simplify the language used in the text to make it more accessible to a wider audience. Avoid using technical jargon and acronyms that may be unfamiliar to some readers.2. Provide examples or case studies to illustrate the importance of investing in a well-designed data model. This can help readers understand the long-term benefits of a sound data model, even if the initial cost may be higher.3. Emphasize the importance of collaboration between data modelers and developers to optimize performance in a Teradata Data Warehouse system. This can help readers understand the value of both roles and how they can work together to achieve better outcomes for clients.
Integrating source systems 1:1 leads to operational data stores but has nothing to do with data warehousing. Combine this with the waiving of surrogate keys, and you can be sure that sooner or later, a source system will be replaced by another one. At this time, a cost-intensive redesign will wait for you.
The costs of the project have been postponed and are likely to be significantly higher than the initial expenses incurred by a skilled data modeler.
Regrettably, this is the current era in which we exist, and we must find a means to cope with this circumstance.
I chose to withdraw from participating in the substandard data warehousing project. My recommendation is to adopt the same approach as mine – abstain from competing with others for diminishing daily rates. Instead, wait for unsuccessful ventures to be presented to you.
The following part in this series will explore options for repairing a flawed data model.
