IBM Cognos 8 BI Framework Manager: Design Metadata Models (V8.4)

Course Description

IBM Cognos 8 BI Framework Manager: Design Metadata Models (v8.4) is a five-day, instructor-led course that provides participants with introductory to advanced knowledge of metadata modeling concepts, and how to model metadata for predictable reporting and analysis results using Framework Manager. Participants will learn the full scope of the metadata modeling process, from initial project creation, to publishing of metadata to the Web, enabling end users to easily author reports and analyze data.

Skills Gained

Overview of IBM Cognos 8 BI

• Discuss IBM Cognos 8 and Performance Management
• Describe IBM Cognos 8 BI components
• Describe IBM Cognos 8 architecture at a high level
• Define IBM Cognos 8 groups and roles
• Explain how to extend IBM Cognos 8

Identify Common Data Structures

• Examine the characteristics of operational databases and databases designed for reporting
• Examine relationships and cardinality
• Identify different data traps
• Examine OLAP data sources

Gather Requirements

• Examine key modeling recommendations
• Define reporting requirements
• Explore data sources to identify data access strategies

Create a Baseline Project

• Examine the IBM Cognos 8 and Framework Manager workflow processes
• Define a project and its structure
• Describe the Framework Manager environment
• Create a baseline project
• Enhance the model with additional metadata

Prepare Reusable Metadata

• Verify relationships and query item properties
• Ensure efficient filters by configuring prompt properties

Model for Predictable Results: Identify Reporting Issues

• Describe multi-fact queries and when full outer joins are appropriate
• Describe how IBM Cognos 8 uses cardinality
• Identify reporting traps
• Use tools to analyze the model

Model for Predictable Results: Virtual Star Schemas

• Identify the advantages of modeling metadata as a star schema
• Model in layers
• Create aliases to avoid ambiguous joins
• Merge query subjects to create as view behavior

Model for Predictable Results: Consolidate Metadata

• Create virtual facts to simplify writing queries
• Create virtual dimensions to resolve fact-to-fact joins
• Create a consolidated modeling layer for presentation purposes
• Consolidate snowflake dimensions with model query subjects
• Simplify facts by hiding unnecessary codes

Calculations and Filters

• Use calculations to create commonly-needed query items for authors
• Use static filters to reduce the data returned
• Use macros and parameters in calculations and filters to dynamically control the data returned

Implement a Time Dimension

• Make time-based queries simple to author by implementing a time dimension
• Resolve confusion caused by multiple relationships between a time dimension and another table

Specify Determinants

• Use determinants to specify multiple levels of granularity and prevent double-counting

Create the Presentation View

• Identify the dimensions associated with a fact table
• Identify conformed vs. non-conformed dimensions
• Create star schema groupings to provide authors with logical groupings of query subjects

Who Can Benefit

This is an intermediate course for developers who design metadata models for use in IBM Cognos 8 BI.

Prerequisites

Required:

• knowledge of common industry standard data structures and design
• experience with SQL
• experience gathering requirements and analyzing data

Recommended:

• IBM Cognos 8 BI Report Studio: Author Professional Reports Fundamentals (V8.4) or CBT equivalent