Dimensional Modeling on the Microsoft SQL Server Platform from Pluralsight

This course teaches you how to use Microsoft SQL Server and SQL Server Integration Services to design and efficiently load data to your data warehouse. You'll also learn techniques for troubleshooting performance bottlenecks in your ETL.

A properly designed dimensional model is essential to delivering large volumes of data in a fast and easily understood manner. In this course, Dimensional Modeling on the Microsoft SQL Server Platform, you'll learn how to design and efficiently load dimensions, facts, and bridge tables on the Microsoft SQL Server platform. First, you’ll learn about type 1, 2, and 3 slowly changing dimensions and several methods for loading data into these dimensions. Then, you’ll discover how to use SSIS to load data into fact tables along with several options to process data incrementally, including 2 built-in Microsoft technologies: Change Data Capture and Change Tracking. Finally, you'll explore modeling techniques to handle many-to-many relationships. When you’re finished with this course, you'll have the skills and knowledge to design a proper dimensional model and load data efficiently using the Microsoft SQL Server platform.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Understanding How to Model Dimension Tables

Loading a Dimension Table in SQL Server

Understanding How to Model Fact Tables

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Blends theory with hands-on skills for loading and modeling data in Microsoft SQL Server

Projects teach learners to use Change Data Capture, a foundational skill in industry

Covers incremental ETL loading, which is an in-demand skill for data warehousing

Teaches learners many-to-many relationship modeling, which is fundamental for data governance

Instructed by Christopher Smith, known for expertise in designing and loading dimensional data models

Builds a foundation for learners to develop additional skills in data warehousing

Reviews summary

Practical sql server dimensional modeling

According to students, this course provides a strong foundation and highly practical skills for dimensional modeling and ETL on the Microsoft SQL Server Platform. Learners consistently praise the instructor's clear explanations and engaging teaching style, making complex topics like Slowly Changing Dimensions and Change Data Capture easy to grasp. The course is particularly lauded for its hands-on SSIS demos and real-world applicability, allowing students to immediately implement learned techniques. While some experienced professionals find parts of the content introductory or the SSIS interface visuals slightly dated, the core principles remain highly relevant and valuable for anyone building or optimizing data warehouses.

Ideal for those new to or needing to solidify dimensional modeling basics.

"This course is perfect for intermediate learners, though the pace felt a bit slow for experienced users."

"It's a decent overview, but I felt some parts were a bit superficial. Still good for beginners though."

"I was disappointed with the lack of advanced content; it's definitely not for experienced practitioners."

"I found it too basic; not worth it if you have prior experience and are looking for advanced topics."

Practical SSIS demonstrations and labs are highly effective for learning.

"The SSIS demos were hands-on and incredibly useful for seeing the concepts in action."

"I appreciated the hands-on labs, as they helped solidify my understanding."

"The demos are gold. This course filled significant gaps in my knowledge through practical examples."

Instructor is knowledgeable, clear, and makes complex topics understandable.

"The instructor is incredibly knowledgeable and explains complex topics like SCDs and Change Data Capture with such clarity."

"The instructor's teaching style is engaging and made the content easy to follow."

"The way SCD Type 2 and incremental loads with CDC were explained made them finally click for me."

Provides skills immediately applicable to real-world data warehousing.

"I immediately applied these techniques to my work. A must for anyone working with data warehousing on SQL Server."

"The practical examples made a real difference. They are very relevant to real-world scenarios."

"This course was super useful for my job, and I feel much more confident in my data warehousing tasks now."

Core concepts are relevant, but some SSIS interface visuals appear older.

"Some older content, but the core concepts are still very relevant. A refresh on the SSIS version might be helpful for future updates."

"The practical application felt a little dated, as the SSIS screens looked older than current versions."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Dimensional Modeling on the Microsoft SQL Server Platform with these activities:

Tutorial on Data Warehousing Concepts

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Reviewing tutorials on data warehousing concepts will provide you with a strong foundation for understanding the course material.

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Watch videos or read articles on data warehouse architecture and functions.
Learn about the different components of a data warehouse, such as dimensions, facts, and hierarchies.
Understand the ETL process and its importance in data warehousing.

Read: The Data Warehouse Toolkit

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Reading this book will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of dimensional modeling and its application in data warehousing.

View The Data Warehouse Toolkit on Amazon

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Read chapters 1-5 to gain a foundation in dimensional modeling concepts.
Focus on chapters 6-10 to learn about the different types of dimensions and facts.
Study chapters 11-15 to understand the ETL process and data warehouse design.

Join a Study Group for Discussion and Collaboration

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Participating in a study group will provide you with opportunities to discuss course concepts, share knowledge, and learn from others.

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Find a study group or create your own with classmates or colleagues.
Set regular meeting times to discuss course material and assignments.
Work together to solve problems, share resources, and provide support.

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Practice Writing SQL Queries

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Practicing writing SQL queries will reinforce your understanding of data manipulation and retrieval techniques, which are essential for working with data warehouses.

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Create a sample database with tables and data.
Write SQL queries to select, filter, and aggregate data.
Test the performance of your queries and identify areas for optimization.

Attend Data Warehousing Industry Events

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Attending industry events will keep you up-to-date on the latest trends and technologies in data warehousing and provide opportunities to network with professionals.

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Research upcoming data warehousing conferences, meetups, or webinars.
Register and attend the events.
Network with attendees, speakers, and vendors.

Design a Dimensional Model for a Real-World Scenario

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Designing a dimensional model for a real-world scenario will allow you to apply the concepts learned in the course and gain hands-on experience.

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Identify a business problem or scenario that requires a data warehouse.
Design a dimensional model that meets the requirements of the business problem.
Create a physical data model in Microsoft SQL Server based on your design.
Document your design and implementation.

Build a Simple Data Warehouse Project

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Building a small data warehouse project will reinforce your understanding of the concepts learned in the course and provide you with valuable hands-on experience.

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Design a dimensional model for a simple business scenario.
Create a data warehouse database in Microsoft SQL Server.
Extract data from source systems using SSIS.
Load data into the data warehouse using SSIS.
Create reports using SQL Server Reporting Services.

Contribute to Open-Source ETL Projects

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Contributing to open-source ETL projects will expand your knowledge of ETL tools and processes and provide you with valuable hands-on experience.

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Identify an open-source ETL project that aligns with your interests.
Review the project's documentation and contribute to issue discussions.
Fix bugs or implement new features based on the project's roadmap.
Submit pull requests and participate in code reviews.

Career center

Learners who complete Dimensional Modeling on the Microsoft SQL Server Platform will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Engineer

A Data Engineer is responsible for building and maintaining data pipelines. This course can help you develop the skills necessary to succeed in this role by teaching you how to design and efficiently load data to your data warehouse. You'll also learn techniques for troubleshooting performance bottlenecks in your ETL.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Engineer

ETL Developer

An ETL Developer is responsible for designing and developing ETL processes. This course can help you develop the skills necessary to succeed in this role by teaching you how to design and efficiently load data to your data warehouse. You'll also learn techniques for troubleshooting performance bottlenecks in your ETL.

See salaries and explore the career path for ETL Developer

Data Architect

A Data Architect is responsible for designing and managing data systems. This course can help you develop the skills necessary to succeed in this role by teaching you how to design and efficiently load data to your data warehouse. You'll also learn techniques for troubleshooting performance bottlenecks in your ETL.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Architect

Data Warehouse Architect

A Data Warehouse Architect is responsible for designing and implementing data warehouses. This course can help you develop the skills necessary to succeed in this role by teaching you how to design and efficiently load data to your data warehouse. You'll also learn techniques for troubleshooting performance bottlenecks in your ETL.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Warehouse Architect

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to identify trends and patterns. This course can help you develop the skills necessary to succeed in this role by teaching you how to design and efficiently load data to your data warehouse. You'll also learn techniques for troubleshooting performance bottlenecks in your ETL.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Database Administrator

A Database Administrator is responsible for managing and maintaining databases. This course can help you develop the skills necessary to succeed in this role by teaching you how to design and efficiently load data to your data warehouse. You'll also learn techniques for troubleshooting performance bottlenecks in your ETL.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Business Intelligence Analyst

A Business Intelligence Analyst is responsible for using data to help businesses make better decisions. This course can help you develop the skills necessary to succeed in this role by teaching you how to design and efficiently load data to your data warehouse. You'll also learn techniques for troubleshooting performance bottlenecks in your ETL.

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Data Scientist

A Data Scientist is responsible for using data to solve business problems. This course may be useful for those interested in using data to improve business outcomes.

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Statistician

A Statistician is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. This course may be useful for those interested in using statistics to solve business problems.

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Operations Research Analyst

An Operations Research Analyst is responsible for using mathematical and analytical techniques to solve business problems. This course may be useful for those interested in using data to improve business operations.

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Business Analyst

A Business Analyst is responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying areas for improvement. This course may be useful for those interested in using data to improve business outcomes.

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Financial Analyst

A Financial Analyst is responsible for analyzing financial data to make investment recommendations. This course may be useful for those interested in using data to make informed investment decisions.

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Machine Learning Engineer

A Machine Learning Engineer is responsible for developing and implementing machine learning models. This course may be useful for those interested in using machine learning to solve business problems.

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Software Engineer

A Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. This course may be useful for those interested in developing data-driven applications.

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Project Manager

A Project Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. This course may be useful for those interested in using data to manage projects more effectively.

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