DATA VISUALIZATION- RESEARCH PAPER 1

TITLE: POWER BI DATA MODELING

PES1202202832
PES1PG22MB111
SUBMITTED TO: PROFESSOR BIPLAB SARKAR SIR
PES UNIVERSITY
ABSTRACT :

Abstract: Power BI has transformed data analysis, empowering users to craft compelling visualizations
and unlock actionable insights. However, the true power lies in the foundation: a well-designed data
model. This research paper delves into best practices and optimization strategies for Power BI data
modeling, ensuring efficient performance, accurate analysis, and impactful storytelling.

Power BI empowers data analysis, but its true power lies in its foundation: the data model. This research
explores best practices and optimization strategies for Power BI data modeling, ensuring clarity,
efficiency, and impactful insights.

 Uncover the objectives of data modeling: clarity, efficiency, scalability, and data integration.

 Delve into best practices: star schema, data cleansing, accurate relationships, custom
measures, and documentation.

 Explore optimization techniques: granularity, calculated columns

vs. measures, partitions, compression, and incremental refresh.

 Design a research methodology: define scope, review literature, analyze data, design and
develop model, optimize and evaluate, document and report.

 Identify secondary data sources: academic papers, industry resources, white papers, blogs, and
online communities.

 Explore best practices and optimization for data collection: identify sources, access and
acquisition, quality control, schema alignment, and version control.

Impact and Benefits:

By implementing these best practices and optimization techniques, users unlock:

 Improved performance: faster loading times and smoother interactions.

 Accurate analysis: consistent data interpretation and reliable insights.

 Reduced costs: efficient data storage and processing.

 Scalability and flexibility: adaptable models for evolving needs.

Mastering Power BI data modeling is a valuable skill, empowering users to build robust models that
inform data-driven decisions. This research provides a roadmap for exploration, encouraging ongoing
learning and collaboration within the vibrant Power BI community. Together, we can unlock the immense
potential of data and shape a future driven by insightful analysis.

Keywords: Power BI, data modeling, best practices, optimization, performance, analysis, insights
INTRODUCTION:

Power BI has revolutionized data analysis, allowing anyone to transform raw data into compelling
visualizations and actionable insights. But behind the glitzy dashboards and interactive reports lies a
crucial foundation: data modeling. In this blog, we'll dive deep into this 500-word exploration of data
modeling in Power BI, unveiling its secrets and showcasing its power.

Imagine transforming a messy warehouse into a well-organized library. Data modeling in Power BI does
just that. It's the art of defining the structure, relationships, and transformations applied to your data,
laying the groundwork for accurate analysis and efficient report creation. It's like building the skeleton of
your Power BI masterpiece, ensuring every bone (data piece) connects seamlessly for optimal
performance and impactful storytelling.

WHY IS DATA MODELING ESSENTIAL?

Without proper data modeling, your Power BI reports would be akin to navigating a labyrinth
blindfolded. Here's why it reigns supreme:

 Clarity and Accuracy: Data modeling establishes a unified language, ensuring everyone interprets
and analyzes data consistently. This minimizes confusion and promotes accurate insights.

 Performance Boost: A well-structured model optimizes data queries and processing, resulting in
faster report loading times and snappier visual interactions, keeping your audience engaged.

 Reduced Redundancy: Modeling eliminates data duplication, minimizing storage requirements

and maximizing efficiency.

 Scalability and Flexibility: A robust model can readily adapt to new data sources and changing
business needs, keeping your reports future-proof.

 Entities: Representing real-world concepts like customers, products, or transactions.

 Attributes: Describing characteristics of each entity, like customer name or product price.

 Relationships: Connect entities logically, like "customers place orders" or "products belong to
categories".

 Dimensions and Facts: Dimension tables hold descriptive attributes (e.g., customer
location), while fact tables contain numeric measures (e.g., sales figures).

 Measure Calculations: Formulas applied to data to create meaningful metrics and KPIs, like
average order value or customer lifetime value.

TYPES OF DATA MODELS IN POWER BI:

 Star Schema: The most common, resembling a star with a central fact table surrounded by
dimension tables radiating outwards. Ideal for data warehouses and reporting.

 Snowflake Schema: Similar to a star schema, dimension tables have child relationships, creating
a snowflake-like structure. Useful for complex data with hierarchical relationships.

 Constellation Schema: Combines multiple star schemas with shared dimension tables, ideal for
integrating data from diverse sources.

Mastering the Tools of the Trade:

 Power Query Editor: This powerful tool transforms raw data, cleanses it, and shapes it into the
desired format for your model.
  Data View: Visually represents your model, allowing you to define entities, attributes, and
relationships.

 DAX (Data Analysis Expressions): A language for creating custom calculations and
measures, adding depth and customization to your data insights.

BACKGROUND:

Before we Dive into the intricate world of data modeling in Power BI, let's cast our gaze back and
appreciate its fascinating journey. It's a tale of constant innovation, fueled by the desire to transform raw
data into actionable insights, and paved with milestones that shaped the landscape we navigate today.

Early Days (2011-2014): Power BI sprouted as a cloud-based service, and data modeling initially relied on
tabular models, similar to Excel data tables. It was basic, yet provided a foundation for data structuring.

The Star Takes Center Stage (2015-2016): The introduction of the star schema architecture revolutionized
data modeling. With a central fact table surrounded by dimensional satellites, this intuitive structure
became the go-to approach for efficient query performance and intuitive analysis.

Visual Modeling Rises (2017-2018): The Power Query Editor emerged, empowering users to visually
explore and transform data before feeding it into the model. This intuitive interface democratized data
cleaning and shaping, making it accessible to analysts beyond data-wrangling specialists.

DAX Enters the Stage (2019-present): The Data Analysis Expressions (DAX) language emerged, granting
users the power to craft custom calculations and measures. This opened doors to in-depth analysis,
allowing users to extract hidden insights from the data like never before.

The Future Unfolds: Today, Power BI data modeling continues to evolve. Integrations with diverse data
sources, advanced AI capabilities, and self-service analytics tools are paving the way for even more
intelligent and user-friendly models.

A Legacy of Empowerment: As we explore the intricacies of data modeling, remember this journey. It's a
testament to the dedication of developers and the ingenuity of users, each step refining the tools and
shaping the world of data analysis. So, let's continue to leverage this powerful skill, building intricate
architectures that unlock the secrets within our data, and drive informed decisions to shape a brighter
future.

Best Practices:

 Star Schema: Embrace the star schema architecture for optimal performance and
intuitiveness. Arrange your data with a central fact table surrounded by dimension
tables, radiating like stars.

 Data Cleansing and Shaping: Dedicate time to cleaning and shaping your data before
modeling. Use Power Query Editor to address inconsistencies, remove duplicates, and transform
data into the desired format.

 Relationship Cardinality: Define precise relationships between entities (dimension and fact
tables) to ensure accurate calculations and avoid ambiguity.

 Measure Calculations: Leverage DAX (Data Analysis Expressions) to craft custom measures and
KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) that provide deeper insights into your data.
  Documentation and Versioning: Document your data model, including table
structures, relationships, and measure definitions. This promotes clarity and facilitates
collaboration.

Optimization Techniques:

 Granularity: Balance the level of detail in your model with performance needs. Avoid excessive
granularity, but ensure it's sufficient for your analysis objectives.

 Calculated Columns vs. Measures: Utilize calculated columns for frequently used calculations
within a single table to improve performance. Use measures for more complex calculations
across multiple tables.

 Partitions and Filters: Implement partitions and filters efficiently to optimize data retrieval and
minimize processing time for specific queries.

 Compression and Data Types: Utilize column compression and appropriate data types to reduce
storage requirements and improve query performance.

 Incremental Refresh: Leverage incremental refresh for large datasets, refreshing only changed
data instead of the entire model, saving time and resources

Impact and Benefits:

 Implementing these best practices and optimization techniques yields tangible benefits:
 Improved Performance: Faster report loading times and snappier visual interactions,
keeping your audience engaged.
 Accurate Analysis: Consistent data interpretation and reliable insights, leading to
informed decision-making.
 Reduced Costs: Efficient data storage and processing, minimizing infrastructure and
resource needs.
 Scalability and Flexibility: Adaptable models that readily accommodate new data sources
and evolving business needs

Objectives of Data Modeling:

Clarity and Consistency: Data modeling establishes a unified language for understanding data, ensuring
everyone interprets it consistently. This reduces confusion and promotes accurate analysis.

Efficiency and Performance: A well-designed model optimizes data queries and processing, resulting in
faster loading times and smoother interactions with reports and visuals.

Scalability and Flexibility: Robust models can readily adapt to new data sources and changing business
needs, keeping your analysis adaptable and future-proof.

Data Integration: It facilitates seamless integration of data from diverse sources, creating a single source
of truth for comprehensive analysis.

Communication and Collaboration: A shared understanding of the data model promotes effective
communication and collaboration among stakeholders, fostering data-driven decision-making across the
organization.
LITERATURE REVIEW

 Guy in a Cube: Discover in-depth tutorials, practical tips, and insightful data analysis from an
industry expert: https://guyinacube.com/

 SQLBI: Explore technical articles, case studies, and community forums focused on Power BI and
data analytics: https://www.sqlbi.com/

 BI Best Practices: Learn from experienced practitioners and discover valuable resources for
effective data analysis: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VNHmKcrVFk0

 Microsoft Ignite and PASS Summit: Watch recordings of presentations and sessions from leading
Power BI conferences for comprehensive insights and new approaches.

 YouTube Channels: Find channels like "Enterprise DNA" and "Curated Power BI" for informative
tutorials, Q&A sessions, and practical demonstrations.

 Microsoft Power BI Community: Engage with other data analysts and Power BI users in online
forums and discussions to share knowledge and gain new perspectives

Data collection:

Building a robust Power BI data model relies heavily on the quality and efficiency of your data collection
process. Here's an in-depth exploration of best practices and optimization strategies for collecting data
specifically for Power BI data modeling:

Best Practices:

 Identify Data Sources: Start by cataloging all potential data sources relevant to your analysis
objectives. Consider internal databases, external APIs, spreadsheets, log files, and other
information repositories.

 Data Access and Acquisition: Secure authorization and establish efficient access methods for
each source. Utilize APIs, connectors, or data gateways to automate data transfer where
possible.

 Data Quality Control: Implement data cleansing and transformation tools like Power Query
Editor to address inconsistencies, missing values, and formatting issues. Ensure data meets
quality standards before modeling.

 Schema and Metadata Alignment: Standardize data formats and ensure consistent naming
conventions across all sources to facilitate seamless integration and model creation.

 Documentation and Version Control: Document data sources, access details, cleaning
routines, and transformations performed. Implement version control to track changes and
maintain data lineage.

Optimization Strategies:

 Granularity and Filtering: Balance the level of detail collected with performance needs. Avoid
capturing excessive granularity unless crucial for analysis. Utilize filters at the data source level to
optimize data volume.

 Incremental Refresh: For large datasets, leverage Power BI's incremental refresh feature to only
update changed data instead of refreshing the entire model, saving time and resources.
  Data Compression: Utilize available compression techniques within Power BI to reduce storage
requirements and improve query performance. This is especially beneficial for large data sets.

 Scheduling and Automation: Automate data refresh processes with schedules to ensure fresh
data is readily available for analysis and avoid manual intervention.

 Monitoring and Performance Tracking: Monitor data refresh times, resource utilization, and
query performance. Identify bottlenecks and implement optimization strategies to improve
efficiency.

 Collaboration: Collaborate with data owners and stakeholders to understand their data needs
and ensure the collected data aligns with your modeling goals.

 Security and Compliance: Maintain proper data security and compliance protocols during
collection and storage.

 Scalability and Future Needs: Consider future expansions and data integration as you design your
data collection process. Build with flexibility in mind to accommodate evolving needs.

 Note the lightest blue square in figure 8, which lies at the intersection of the

Credits. Completed row and the Sections. Taught column. This square is light blue because of the
correlation between Sections. Taught and Credits. Completed is the weakest of any included in the
matrix. Faculty may be required to teach, but the sizes of the sections they teach vary. And so section
sizes are not our best correlate of how many actual students will be taught, or of how many credits they
will receive.

I have taken an EXAMPLE OF CHURN DATASET

Interpretation:

Using name cards According to the age of 24, there are 107 counts of credit score. the sum of the
estimated salary is 14 lakhs and the sum of the balance is 9 lakhs using the pie chart. by using the donut
chart we can interpret the customers who are exited and active, there are (8.05%) are exited 39.66% are
active users and 52.3% have a cr card. using a stacked bar chart can also predict how much credit score is
used by females and males both.

Hence the data concludes how much people are active and exited by having a creditscore.

CONCLUSION:

Data modeling in Power BI isn't just a technical exercise; it's the architecting of insights. It's like crafting
the bones of a masterpiece, ensuring every data point connects seamlessly to tell a compelling story.
This journey through best practices and optimization has unveiled the true power of this process, leading
us to a pivotal conclusion:

Data modeling in Power BI empowers us to:

 Demystify data: We transform raw numbers into a structured, clear language, paving the way for
accurate analysis and informed decision-making.

 Boost efficiency: Optimized models ensure lightning-fast queries and smooth

interactions, keeping users engaged and empowered.

 Scale with insights: Flexible models adapt to evolving data and business needs, ensuring
relevance and sustainability of your analysis.

 Spark collaboration: A shared understanding of the data model fosters cross-functional

teamwork and drives data-driven decisions across the organization.

But this journey doesn't end here. Data modeling is an ongoing process, fueled by curiosity and a thirst
for deeper understanding. Embrace continuous learning, explore advanced techniques, and share your
knowledge with the vibrant Power BI community.
Remember:

 There's no one-size-fits-all solution. Tailor your model to your specific data and analysis needs.

 Strive for clarity and accuracy. Make your model understandable for everyone who needs to use
it.

 Optimize for performance and efficiency. Ensure your model delivers insights at lightning speed.

 Document and share your knowledge. Empower others to unlock the power of their data.

Data modeling in Power BI is more than just a technical skill; it's a gateway to transforming data into
actionable insights. As you continue to hone your craft, remember the powerful impact you can create.
Each well-designed model brings clarity to complexity, empowers informed decisions, and drives a future
shaped by data-driven wisdom.

REFRENCES:

 Power BI Documentation: Dive deep into the official documentation covering data modeling
concepts, tools, and best practices: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/

 Microsoft Learn Path: Enroll in the "Data Modeling for Power BI" learning path for detailed
tutorials and hands-on practice: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/model-
data-power-bi/

 Microsoft Power BI Blog: Stay up-to-date with the latest announcements, tips, and expert
insights: https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/

 The Definitive Guide to DAX: Master the DAX language for custom calculations and powerful
analysis: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dax/dax-function-reference

 Pro Power BI: Take your skills to the next level with expert advice and advanced
techniques: https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Power-Desktop-Adam-Aspin/dp/1484218043

 Data Modeling with Power BI for Business Analysts: A practical guide for building data models
tailored for business intelligence: https://github.com/Apress/pro-powerbi-DAX-and-data-
modeling

 Guy in a Cube: Discover in-depth tutorials, practical tips, and insightful data analysis from an
industry expert: https://guyinacube.com/

 SQLBI: Explore technical articles, case studies, and community forums focused on Power BI and
data analytics: https://www.sqlbi.com/

 BI Best Practices: Learn from experienced practitioners and discover valuable resources for
effective data analysis: