Deriving the Conceptual Model of a Data Warehouse from Information Requirements

摘要

Business requirements are essential for developing any information system, including a data warehouse. However, requirements written in natural language may be imprecise. This paper offers a model for business requirement formalization according to certain peculiarities of elements of multidimensional models, e.g. the distinction between quantifying and qualifying data. We also propose an algorithm that generates candidate data warehouse schemas and is based on distinguishing data warehouse schema elements in formal requirements. Then, resulting schemas are processed by a semi-automated procedure in order to obtain a data warehouse schema that matches business requirements best of all.