The role of tools in development of a data warehouse

We discuss the tools required for building a data warehouse. We describe key features of each tool. Software tools for data warehousing include data modeling, database management systems, data extraction and migration, data validation, metadata, and job schedulers. We also describe project management methods we have developed for building a data warehouse. Specific tailoring of traditional software development methodology for data warehouse projects is proposed including dependent work break down structures and a method of estimation and prioritization. Throughout the paper, we present our experience of a 25 gigabyte data warehouse project which has accomplished an initial delivery to over 400 users.