How do you document and share your data models and data warehouse design with others?

1 Use standard notation and tools

One of the first steps to document and share your data models and data warehouse design is to use a standard notation and tool that is widely recognized and understood by your audience. For example, you can use the Entity-Relationship (ER) model or the Dimensional Modeling (DM) approach to represent your data models, depending on the type and purpose of your data. You can also use tools like ERwin, PowerDesigner, or Visio to create and visualize your data models and data warehouse design. These tools often have features that allow you to generate documentation, export diagrams, and collaborate with others.

2 Add metadata and comments

Another important step to document and share your data models and data warehouse design is to add metadata and comments that explain the meaning, origin, and quality of your data elements. Metadata is the data about the data, such as names, descriptions, types, formats, constraints, and sources. Comments are the notes or annotations that provide additional information or clarification about your data models and data warehouse design. You can use tools like data dictionaries, glossaries, or metadata repositories to store and manage your metadata and comments. You can also use tools like SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) or Visual Studio to add comments to your code or scripts.

3 Follow naming conventions and standards

A third step to document and share your data models and data warehouse design is to follow naming conventions and standards that are consistent, clear, and meaningful. Naming conventions and standards are the rules or guidelines that define how you name your data elements, such as tables, columns, keys, indexes, views, or procedures. They help you avoid confusion, ambiguity, and duplication, as well as improve readability and maintainability. You can use tools like naming templates, checklists, or validators to ensure that you follow naming conventions and standards.

4 Create documentation and reports

A fourth step to document and share your data models and data warehouse design is to create documentation and reports that summarize, illustrate, and communicate your data models and data warehouse design to your audience. Documentation and reports are the deliverables or outputs that you produce and share with others, such as data model diagrams, data warehouse schemas, data flow diagrams, data lineage maps, data quality reports, or business requirements documents. You can use tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or PDF to create and format your documentation and reports. You can also use tools like SharePoint, OneDrive, or Google Drive to store and share your documentation and reports.

5 Solicit feedback and reviews

A fifth step to document and share your data models and data warehouse design is to solicit feedback and reviews from your audience. Feedback and reviews are the inputs or responses that you receive and incorporate from others, such as suggestions, questions, corrections, or approvals. They help you validate, improve, and finalize your data models and data warehouse design. You can use tools like email, phone, or video conferencing to communicate and collect feedback and reviews. You can also use tools like Jira, Trello, or GitHub to track and manage feedback and reviews.

6 Update and maintain

A sixth and final step to document and share your data models and data warehouse design is to update and maintain them regularly. Update and maintain are the actions or processes that you perform and follow to keep your data models and data warehouse design current, accurate, and relevant. They help you adapt to changes, fix errors, and enhance performance. You can use tools like version control, backup, or audit to update and maintain your data models and data warehouse design. You can also use tools like notifications, alerts, or dashboards to monitor and report on your data models and data warehouse design.

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?