Example: Creating a dimension table

Rational ProjectConsole Designer Help

Note: The example used throughout this section assumes that a Rational RequisitePro project scheduled task has been set up and a source template named Feature Requirements has been created to collect feature requirements (FEATRequirements).

After you check out the schema, you need to create a dimension target table (or alternatively, a time dimension target table.

To create a dimension target table:

  1. On the Designer toolbar, click , or, on the Designer File menu, point to New, and then click Dimension Table.
  2. In the Target Table window, on the General tab, in the Name field, type a table name.
Note: Although you are not required to, you should follow a consistent naming convention for the tables. For example, use <tablename>_Dim for dimension tables and <tablename>_Measure for measure tables.
  1. For the Rational RequisitePro example used in this section, a dimension table named Difficulty_Dim is created. It will be used to collect data on the Difficulty attribute, in addition to other dimension tables that may already exist for the star schema since dimension tables can be reused across different star schemas.

    You can also enter any pertinent information in the Description field, as needed.

  2. Click the Target Fields tab to specify the dimension table field. (Only one field can be defined per dimension table.)
  3. When you create a new dimension target table, one default field name will already be listed in the Display Name column. Click this default field to highlight the row.
    Note: The Add and Delete buttons are always disabled since you cannot add or delete fields for dimension tables. However, you can edit the single field available for dimension tables.
  4. Click Edit to display the Field Information window.
    Note: Because you are working with dimension table fields, the Reference and Non additive controls are unavailable.
  5. In the Field Information window, indicate whether the field is a unique key.

    Enter a new field name and designate the field data type by selecting one of the options from the Type list. If appropriate, use the Description field to enter a field description.

    For the Rational RequisitePro example, the field name Difficulty is entered in the Field Information window.

  6. Click OK to return to the Target Field page of the Target Table window. The information you specified is displayed in the table.
  7. To save the new target table, on the Designer toolbar, click or click File > Save.
  8. Add as many dimension tables as you need.

To continue with the Rational RequisitePro example, go to Creating a measure target table. (Alternatively, you can create a time dimension target table.)