Implement a Time

Dimension
IBM Cognos BI

2012 IBM Corporation

Objectives
At the end of this module, you should be able
to:
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

2012 IBM Corporation

Framework Manager Workflow
Framework Manager

Create Model
Import Prepare
Metadata
Project Metadata Metadat
for
a
Reporting

Set Create
Publish and
Securit
Manage
y
Packages

Report Studio
Query Studio
Data Content
Analysis Studio
Sources Store
.
2012 IBM Corporation
Report without a Time Dimension
Reports require date calculations to match
fields
Product Sales Target Fact
1..1 1..1
SALES_YEAR
1..n SALES_PERIOD
1..n SALES_TARGET
Sales Fact

ORDER_DATE
QUANTITY
. No common date fields

2012 IBM Corporation

Demo 1
Report without a Time Dimension

2012 IBM Corporation

Implement a Time Dimension
Product Sales Target Fact
1..1 1..1
SALES_YEAR
1..n SALES_PERIOD
1..n SALES_TARGET
Sales Fact
Sales Target Fact
ORDER_DATE 1..1
Product 1..n MONTH_KEY
QUANTITY
1..1 SALES_TARGET
.
1..n
1..n 1..1
Time
Sales Fact
Dimension
1..n
Day Key 1.. MONTH_KEY
Quantity 1 DAY_KEY
.
2012 IBM Corporation
Demo 2
Implement a Time Dimension

2012 IBM Corporation

Resolve Multiple Ambiguous Joins
Recommendation #8

Use role-playing time dimensions to resolve

multiple ambiguous joins.
D ay Time
a t e=
rd er D ey
O K

Ship Date = Day Key

Sales Fact Time (Ship)
C lo
se D
ate
Key = Day

Time (Close)

2012 IBM Corporation

Demo 3
Resolve Multiple Ambiguous Joins

2012 IBM Corporation

Summary
At the end of this module, you should be able
to:
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

2012 IBM Corporation