A data warehouse strategy sets out your company vision and how it will be implemented and measured. It should embody:

• A clear statement of your business vision, business case and drivers underpinning the data warehouse initiative
• Alignment to corporate goals and strategies
• The steps for achieving it
• A clear governance plan
• A statement of roles and responsibilities
• Data architecture
• Technical architecture
• Business intelligence presentation layer architecture including user tools and portals
• A metadata management plan
• A change management plan
• A risk assessment and mitigation plan

Why do you need a data warehouse strategy?

For any large-scale complex construction project to succeed it must start out with an agreed, understood plan. A data warehouse is no exception. A clear DW strategy will ensure a common understanding across your organisation of:

• What is to be achieved and why
• Who will be involved
• How it will be built and delivered

The right DW strategy will help ensure it is built and delivered in a cost-effective, efficient manner that delivers to expectations.

When do you create a data warehouse strategy?

It should be created at the commencement of any data warehouse initiative. Periodic reviews should also be conducted to ensure existing data warehouse implementations remain aligned to business objectives.

Where is it used?


The strategy is used to guide program and project planning, detailed design and development efforts.