How do you recover from ETL failures?

1 Identify the root cause

The first step to recover from an ETL failure is to identify the root cause of the problem. You need to analyze the error logs, monitor the ETL pipelines, and check the data sources and destinations for any anomalies or inconsistencies. You should also use tools and techniques such as data profiling, data validation, and data lineage to understand the data flow and dependencies. By identifying the root cause, you can determine the scope and impact of the failure, and decide the best course of action to fix it.

2 Apply the appropriate solution

When dealing with an ETL failure, the next step is to apply the most appropriate solution. Retrying the failed job or task manually or automatically, rolling back to a previous state, skipping or ignoring the failed job, or modifying or updating the ETL logic are all potential solutions. Additionally, it is important to ensure that the data warehouse is not affected by any missing or erroneous data.

4 Document and communicate the failure and the solution

The fourth step is to document and communicate the failure and the solution that you implemented, and share it with the relevant stakeholders and team members. You should document the details of the failure, such as the date, time, duration, cause, impact, and resolution, and store it in a centralized repository or system. You should also communicate the failure and the solution to the people who are affected by or interested in the ETL process, such as the data warehouse users, managers, or developers. By documenting and communicating the failure and the solution, you can improve the transparency, accountability, and collaboration of the ETL process.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?