Warren Thornthwaite
-- DCI's Data Warehouse World

SANTA CLARA -- The following are the proceedings from "What Makes a Warehouse Successful" by Warren Thornthwaite, a seminar that occured at DCI's Data Warehouse World. Warren is the Managing Director at InfoDynamics LLC. The proceedings are organized by slide header.

• Seminar Agenda
  
  
• The Number One Leading Indicator
  
  
• Understand the ENTIRE Process
  
  
• Basic Project Elements
  
  
• Business Context
  
  
• Iterative Process
  
  
• Pivotal Organizational Issues
  
  
• Pivotal Project Issues
  
• How to Assess Risk
  
  
• Risk Assessment Example Factors & Weights
  
  
• Measuring Results
  
  
• How to Measure Results
  
  
• How to Market Your Success
  
  
• Summary: Warehouse Success
  

AGENDA

• Understand Entire process
• Focus on pivotal issues
• Measure results
• Market your success

The Number One Leading Indicator...

BUSINESS VALUE

• A Warehouse can add millions to the business

Seems obvious, but...

• Not easy to quantify up front
• Not many of us are interested in the business side

Understand the ENTIRE Process

• What are the steps, resources, costs
• Use a data warehouse methodology
  • Books
  • Consultants, vendors

  Basic Project Elements

• Requirements Analysis
• Data Development and Management
• Database Design
• Apps Development
• Apps Design
• Platform & Tool Selection & Install
• Roll Out

Business Context

• Business Focus
• Ongoing DSS Mgmt.
• User Support
• DSS/DW Architecture

Iterative Process

Within a project

• lots of incremental learning

Between projects

• Start with small scope, high value
• Use success to make case for growth

Pivotal Organizational Issues

• Management support
• User involvement
• Requirements definition
• User support

Pivotal Project Issues

• Budget / Resources
• Team
• Design
• Technical decisions
• Project communication

How to Assess Risk

• Methodology driven
• Judgment based -- get a second opinion
• Be honest
• Take action based on the results

Risk Assessment Example Factors & Weights

• Business
• Technical
• Project
• Data
• Users

Measuring Results

• Return On Investment
• Anecdotal success -- Mythological
• “Costs less to do what you have to do”
• Gut feel

How to Measure Results

• “Gather” vs. “Measure”
• Get baseline estimates
• Build in usage monitors
• Work closely with users -- Ask about impact
• Focus attention on results
  • “Best-use” contests
  • Management participation

How to Market Your Success

Collect everything you can

• Status reports
• Usage reports
• Success stories

Publish results wherever you can

• IS or Corporate newsletter
• Notes or Brochures
• Trade press

Summary: Warehouse Success

• Business value
• Understand Entire process
• Focus on pivotal issues
  • Assess Risk
• Measure results
• Market success

Warren Thornthwaite is a featured speaker at
DCI's Data Warehouse World

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