War Chest
Every warrior needs a war chest with his (or her) weapons of choice – even a data warrior.
Here are some books and services I use and recommend. In some cases I do get a “cut” of some sort (not likely to make me wealthy, but I can hope, right?). Check back periodically as I will likely add more in the future.
My #1 Weapon of Choice: The Data Vault Book
This is IT! The book people have been waiting for. I keep a copy at my desk and use it to check my models.
Now in the top 25 on Amazon for Data Warehouse books!
Get the Data Vault modeling book on Amazon
UPDATE: The book is now available in the top 50 data warehouse books on Kindle. Get it here. If you prefer to download the book in PDF you can also get it here from Learn Data Vault.
Online Data Vault Training
The best and most cost-effective way to learn to implement the Data Vault is through Dan Linstedt’s Learn Data Vault training portal. If you want my more detailed take on this offering, check out my post on it.
A Check List for Doing Data Model Design Reviews
This is a Kindle book I produced based on best practices I have used in my consulting practice for a very long time. You can get it on Amazon here for $5.99. If you are an Amazon Prime member, it is FREE for you.
Become a Travel Hacker
If you are a road warrior or just like to travel, check out this site. I got great advice from this about maximizing my accumulation and use of airline mileage and hotel points. It helped me get three free flights last year. If you sign up you get periodic alerts about deals to get more points for pretty much every major airline in the world and every major hotel chain. There is also a very useful video library of tips and tricks including some ninja tactics every road warrior should know. Very useful if you are a traveling warrior or you just like to see the world. Click the image to learn more!
Rich and Happy Book
To be the most effective warrior it does help to be happy. This book is one of the self-help type books that I have read. Very easy to read and absorb. Easy to follow work sheets and exercises. And they have a great mission I can get behind as well. Check out their site and see if you agree.
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Mine is all the different architectural design patterns, modelling patterns, code patterns etc that I have worked with over my years.
I do work with Data Vault, but to have that has the only solution to build a DW, is limiting yourself as a Architect and Designer. Every time I meet a customer I estimate their requirment and the requisite of the customer and then I choose the pattern of design that will work best for them.
I never work with the idea of pushing the square piece through the round hole. Which is what you will end up doing when only using one design pattern at all customer sites.
Thanks Patrik. I agree that having a variety of design patterns to pick from is very important. Like any good consultant, the solution must depend on the client needs.
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