Technical data

Creating Data Cubes Chapter 5

Note. This section discusses auditing data cubes in design time. Use the Analytic Model Viewer to audit cube

collections and data cubes in runtime.

See Chapter 14, “Viewing and Debugging Analytic Models,” Viewing and Deb ugging Cube Collections,

page 233.

Understanding Causes and Inputs

Any data cube that affects another data cube is a cause—or precedent—of that data cube. A data cube can be a

direct cause or an indirect cause of another data cube. A direct ca use is used in the data cube’s formula. An

indirect cause is not used in the formula, but it appears somewhere in the chain of formulas that ultimately

affect the d ata cube.

For e xample, suppose the GROSS_MARGIN and NET_INCOME data cubes contain these formulas:

• Formula for the GROSS_MARGIN data cube:

SALES - COST_OF_GOODS

• Formula for the NET_INCOME data cube:

GROSS_MARGIN - TOTAL_EXPENSE

In this example, SALES is a direct cause of GRO SS_MARGIN because it is used in GROSS_MARGIN’s

formula. SALES is an indirect cause of NET_INCOME because it affects GROSS_MARGIN, w hich in

turn affects NET_INCOME.

You can display the causes of a data cube to view the assumptions behind a result or to find a formula that is

not working properly.

Using the All Inputs option, you can also display all of the input data cubes that affect a data cube, either

directly or indirectly.

See C

hapter 5, “Creating Data Cubes,” Displayi ng Causes and Inputs, p ag e 45.

Understanding Effects

Any data cube that is affected by another data cube is an effect—or dependent—of that data cube. A data

cube can be a direct effect or an indirect effect of another data cube. A direct effect uses the data cube in its

formula. An indirect effect does not use the data cube in its formula, but it is part of the chain of calculations

that are affected by the data cube.

Again, suppose the GROSS_MARGIN and NET_INCOME data cubes contain these formulas:

• Formula for the GROSS_MARGIN data cube:

SALES - COST_OF_GOODS

• Formula for the NET_INCOME data cube:

GROSS_MARGIN - TOTAL_EXPENSE

GROSS_MARGIN is a direct effect of SALES because it uses SALES in its formula. NET_INCOME is an

indirect effect of SALES because it is affected by GROSS_MARGIN, which in turn is affected by SALES.

You can display either the direct or direct p lus indirect effects of a data cube to view the consequences

of a data cube’s values.