Building A Prototype - IBM Cognos User Manual

transaction record has fewer business keys to process when identifying the
category with which the measure values are associated.
Define any transactional data sources that change frequently so that they contain a
small, concise record set, with the minimum amount of information needed to
update the data in your PowerCubes. Whenever possible, save your model with
generated category structures, to eliminate the redundant processing required to
continually rebuild them. Similarly, if your model contains long descriptions,
generate cubes from a model that is already populated with the categories
associated with those descriptions.
For more information, see "Control When the Source Data Is Read" on page 46.
Additional Data Modeling Tips
Enhance your model design by analyzing the data flow, resolving uniqueness
issues and data dictionary terms, building flexibility into your plan, and reducing
the Cognos Transformer processing load.
Consider building the following steps into your process:
v Analyze the data flow from the point at which your data is generated until the
v Resolve uniqueness issues and data dictionary terms before you merge two sets
v Wherever possible, build flexibility into your plan. Use a different source file for
v Improve performance by continually striving to reduce the Cognos Transformer

Building a Prototype

To field-test the accuracy of your analysis, build an initial model or prototype that
reflects the needs of the key decision makers in your company.
Base your prototype on an existing set of frequently used, stable OLAP reports,
and use the following checklist:
Procedure
1. Identify Measures
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IBM Cognos Transformer Version 10.1.1: User Guide
data is input into Cognos Transformer. Determine if the data can be streamlined
or rationalized at any point, perhaps by creating a data warehouse, a series of
data marts, or a data-extract process to reorganize it.
of data into one model. Ensure data integrity by checking your column joins;
outer joins or table aliases may be required. Remember that Cognos Transformer
is not a relational database tool, and cannot perform joins between the columns
of different data sources. If you need to set up database joins, use a modeling
tool such as Framework Manager to create the joins, and then publish the
Framework Manager package for use in Cognos Transformer.
each aspect of your business, and organize the data sources in your model so
that each data source supplies the data for a different dimension. That way, you
can add more information into your cube as your business evolves, even if the
data comes from different software applications, platforms, departments, or
locations.
processing load.
Measures are the numbers you use to gauge your organization's performance.
You should choose the critical success factors in your business as your
measures. Examples of typical measures include sales revenues, profit margins,
and response times.