I wanted to follow up my previous "required reading" post with a more BI/Consulting directed set of books you should be reading/have read.
The Data Warehouse Toolkit - This is a effectively a Kimball Method primer, from the source himself. This gives a great survey of the lifecycle and methodology, not to mention a breakdown of dimensional modeling and all it entails. Coming into BI as a developer, this is where I really learned about the thinking behind ETL processes, and it gave me answers to early challenges in warehouse/datamart modeling.
The Microsoft Data Warehouse Toolkit - This is the Microsoft-flavored cousin of the previous book, written by Joy Mundy and Warren Thornthwaite (based on the existing book). The newest version is current through SQL Server 2008 R2, and therefore incorporates discussion/demonstration of some of its cooler new features (the delicious Merge statement, new SSRS goodies, etc.)
Agile Database Techniques - this is a personal favorite, just because I think the Agile methods in general can be applied with success to some types of BI/DW projects. How's that for a qualified statement, huh? Seriously, though: experience the pattern of requirements change on a few consecutive projects, and tell me BDUF isn't contrary to BI goals.... Anway, Scott Ambler is the Agile mouthpiece, so it's great that this book is his.
Getting Started in Consulting, Million Dollar Consulting - Have to recommend Alan Weiss for consulting books. His materials are a lot more utilitarian than many business books. Less cheese-moving, more concrete examples of Things You Should Do. The two titles listed above are the ones from which I got a lot.
OK, that's enough reading for now. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment