Modeling Guide
Semantic modeling turns repeated business meaning into reusable definitions.
Start with metrics
Section titled “Start with metrics”Define the metrics people already ask for:
- Revenue.
- Active accounts.
- Conversion rate.
- Retention.
- Gross margin.
Each metric should have a clear formula, owner, grain, and known exclusions.
Add dimensions carefully
Section titled “Add dimensions carefully”Dimensions make analysis useful, but they also create ambiguity when names are inconsistent. Prefer canonical names such as plan, region, channel, and customer_segment.
Keep models reviewable
Section titled “Keep models reviewable”Document:
- What the metric means.
- Which tables it depends on.
- Which filters are always applied.
- Who owns the definition.
Do not model every possible question on day one. Start with the metrics that already drive recurring decisions.