Incorporating traceability in conceptual models for data warehouses by using MDA

Abstract

The complexity of the Data Warehouse (DW) development process requires to follow a methodological approach in order to be successful. A widely accepted approach for this development is the hybrid one, in which requirements and data sources must be accommodated to a new DW model. The main problem is that the relationships between conceptual elements coming from requirements and those coming from data sources are lost in the process, since no traceability is explicitly specified, consuming additional time and resources. Previously, we have defined a trace metamodel in order to trace user requirements to DW conceptual models. In this paper, we complement our approach by including traceability along the successive refinements performed at the conceptual level. Therefore, we preserve the existing relationships between elements, eliminating additional costs derived from performing the matching process multiple times. We provide an example of how Query/View/Transformation rules can automate trace generation, and we also provide a set of guidelines for connecting conceptual elements coming from requirements with those coming from the data sources. © 2011 Springer-Verlag.