Data warehouse designer

Data warehouse designer article illustration

Description

A data warehouse designer is a specialized IT professional responsible for designing and creating efficient and organized data storage systems known as data warehouses. Data warehouses are essential for consolidating, managing, and analyzing large volumes of data from various sources. These professionals play a crucial role in ensuring that organizations can access valuable insights and make informed decisions based on their data.

Here are some of the typical duties of data warehouse designers:

  • Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business requirements and data analysis needs.
  • Design and create data warehouse architectures that support the storage and retrieval of large volumes of structured and unstructured data.
  • Develop strategies for extracting data from different sources, such as databases, spreadsheets, and external systems.
  • Design and implement data transformation processes to clean, filter, and reshape data for analytical purposes.
  • Create and manage data models, including star schemas or snowflake schemas, to optimize data storage and retrieval.
  • Develop and implement ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes to transfer data from source systems to the data warehouse.
  • Monitor data loads, troubleshoot issues, and ensure data accuracy and integrity within the data warehouse.
  • Implement data partitioning, indexing, and optimization techniques to enhance query performance.
  • Collaborate with business analysts and data scientists to define and develop data cubes, views, and reports for analysis.
  • Ensure data security and access controls within the data warehouse to protect sensitive information.
  • Work with data governance teams to establish data quality standards and data lineage documentation.
  • Stay informed about emerging technologies and best practices in data warehousing to recommend improvements.
  • Provide technical support to end-users and stakeholders, assisting them with data retrieval and analysis.
  • Develop and maintain documentation of data warehouse design, architecture, and processes.
  • Collaborate with IT teams to integrate the data warehouse with business intelligence tools and reporting platforms.
  • Plan and execute data migration and data synchronization projects as needed.
  • Conduct performance tuning and optimization of data warehouse queries and processes.

Other titles

The following job titles also refer to data warehouse designer:

data warehouse architect
data warehouse developer

Working conditions

Data warehouse designers typically work in office environments, collaborating with various teams such as business analysts, database administrators, and data scientists. The work may involve occasional off-hours support to address critical issues or perform maintenance tasks.

Minimum qualifications

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field is common for data warehouse designer roles. Strong knowledge of database management systems, data modeling, ETL tools, and business intelligence concepts is essential. Practical experience in data warehousing, gained through internships, coursework, or entry-level positions, is valuable. Certifications in relevant data warehousing technologies can enhance a data warehouse designer’s credentials.

ISCO skill level

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

  • the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
  • the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
  • the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Data warehouse designer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

Data warehouse designer career path

Similar occupations

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to data warehouse designer.

database designer
ICT intelligent systems designer
ICT system architect
knowledge engineer
software architect

Essential knowledge and skills

Essential knowledge

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of data warehouse designer.

  • Information structure: The type of infrastructure which defines the format of data: semi-structured, unstructured and structured.
  • Data warehouse: The data storage system that analyses and reports on data such as a data mart.
  • Database: The classification of databases, that includes their purpose, characteristics, terminology, models and use such as XML databases, document-oriented databases and full text databases.
  • Web programming: The programming paradigm that is based on combining markup (which adds context and structure to text) and other web programming code, such as AJAX, JavaScript and PHP, in order to carry out appropriate actions and visualise the content.
  • ICT security legislation: The set of legislative rules that safeguards information technology, ICT networks and computer systems and legal consequences which result from their misuse. Regulated measures include firewalls, intrusion detection, anti-virus software and encryption.
  • Business process modelling: The tools, methods and notations such as Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) and Business Process Execution Language (BPEL), used to describe and analyse the characteristics of a business process and model its further development.
  • Resource description framework query language: The query languages such as SPARQL which are used to retrieve and manipulate data stored in Resource Description Framework format (RDF).
  • Query languages: The field of standardised computer languages for retrieval of information from a database and of documents containing the needed information.
  • Database development tools: The methodologies and tools used for creating logical and physical structure of databases, such as logical data structures, diagrams, modelling methodologies and entity-relationships.
  • Database management systems: The tools for creating, updating and managing databases, such as Oracle, MySQL and Microsoft SQL Server.
  • Systems theory: The principles that can be applied to all types of systems at all hierarchical levels, which describe the system’s internal organisation, its mechanisms of maintaining identity and stability and achieving adaptation and self-regulation and its dependencies and interaction with the environment.

Essential skills and competences

These skills are necessary for the role of data warehouse designer.

  • Migrate existing data: Apply migration and conversion methods for existing data, in order to transfer or convert data between formats, storage or computer systems.
  • Use markup languages: Utilise computer languages that are syntactically distinguishable from the text to add annotations to a document, specify layout and process types of documents such as HTML.
  • Develop automated migration methods: Create automated transfer of ICT information between storage types, formats and systems to save human resources from performing the task manually.
  • Assess ICT knowledge: Evaluate the implicit mastery of skilled experts in an ICT system to make it explicit for further analysis and usage.
  • Manage database: Apply database design schemes and models, define data dependencies, use query languages and database management systems (DBMS) to develop and manage databases.
  • Create software design: Transpose a series of requirements into a clear and organised software design.
  • Write database documentation: Develop documentation containing information about the database that is relevant to end users.
  • Design database scheme: Draft a database scheme by following the Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) rules in order to create a logically arranged group of objects such as tables, columns and processes.
  • Operate relational database management system: Extract, store and verify information using database management systems based on the relational database model, which arranges data into tables of rows and columns, such as Oracle Database, Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL (Oracle Corporation).
  • Create database diagrams: Develop the database design models and diagrams which establish the structure of a database by using modelling software tools to be implemented in further processes.
  • Create data sets: Generate a collection of new or existing related data sets that are made up out of separate elements but can be manipulated as one unit.
  • Analyse business requirements: Study clients’ needs and expectations for a product or service in order to identify and resolve inconsistencies and possible disagreements of involved stakeholders.
  • Manage standards for data exchange: Set and maintain standards for transforming data from source schemas into the necessary data structure of a result schema.
  • Apply ICT systems theory: Implement principles of ICT systems theory in order to explain and document system characteristics that can be applied universally to other systems
  • Define technical requirements: Specify technical properties of goods, materials, methods, processes, services, systems, software and functionalities by identifying and responding to the particular needs that are to be satisfied according to customer requirements.

Optional knowledge and skills

Optional knowledge

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of data warehouse designer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Haskell: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Haskell.
  • Erlang: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Erlang.
  • SAS language: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in SAS language.
  • Agile project management: The agile project management approach is a methodology for planning, managing and overseeing of ICT resources in order to meet specific goals and using project management ICT tools.
  • Ruby (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Ruby.
  • Common Lisp: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Common Lisp.
  • Lisp: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Lisp.
  • Visual Studio .NET: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Visual Basic.
  • Java (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Java.
  • MDX: The computer language MDX is a query language for retrieval of information from a database and of documents containing the needed information. It is developed by the software company Microsoft.
  • Computer programming: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms (e.g. object oriented programming, functional programming) and of programming languages.
  • Prolog (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Prolog.
  • OpenEdge Advanced Business Language: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in OpenEdge Advanced Business Language.
  • JavaScript: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in JavaScript.
  • DB2: The computer program IBM DB2 is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company IBM.
  • Microsoft Access: The computer program Access is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company Microsoft.
  • XQuery: The computer language XQuery is a query language for retrieval of information from a database and of documents containing the needed information. It is developed by the international standards organisation World Wide Web Consortium.
  • Perl: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Perl.
  • Smalltalk (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Smalltalk.
  • PHP: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in PHP.
  • OpenEdge Database: The computer program OpenEdge Database is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company Progress Software Corporation.
  • Assembly (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Assembly.
  • ObjectStore: The computer program ObjectStore is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company Object Design, Incorporated.
  • C#: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in C#.
  • MySQL: The computer program MySQL is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, currently developed by the software company Oracle.
  • R: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in R.
  • Groovy: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Groovy.
  • ASP.NET: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in ASP.NET.
  • APL: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in APL.
  • SPARQL: The computer language SPARQL is a query language for retrieval of information from a database and of documents containing the needed information. It is developed by the international standards organisation World Wide Web Consortium.
  • Microsoft Visual C++: The computer program Visual C++ is a suite of software development tools for writing programs, such as compiler, debugger, code editor, code highlights, packaged in a unified user interface. It is developed by the software company Microsoft.
  • IBM Informix: The computer program IBM Informix is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company IBM.
  • TypeScript: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in TypeScript.
  • CoffeeScript: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in CoffeeScript.
  • Objective-C: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Objective-C.
  • ML (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in ML.
  • LDAP: The computer language LDAP is a query language for retrieval of information from a database and of documents containing the needed information.
  • PostgreSQL: The computer program PostgreSQL is a free and open-source software tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the PostgreSQL Global Development Group.
  • Ajax: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in AJAX.
  • C++: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in C++.
  • FileMaker (database management systems): The computer program FileMaker is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company FileMaker Inc.
  • SAP R3: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in SAP R3.
  • Swift (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Swift.
  • ICT project management methodologies: The methodologies or models for planning, managing and overseeing of ICT resources in order to meet specific goals, such methodologies are Waterfall, Incremental, V-Model, Scrum or Agile and using project management ICT tools.
  • Sql server: The computer program SQL Server is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company Microsoft.
  • Matlab: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in MATLAB.
  • Unstructured data: The information that is not arranged in a pre-defined manner or does not have a pre-defined data model and is difficult to understand and find patterns in without using techniques such as data mining.
  • CA Datacom/DB: The computer program CA Datacom/DB is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, currently developed by the software company CA Technologies.
  • LINQ: The computer language LINQ is a query language for retrieval of information from a database and of documents containing the needed information. It is developed by the software company Microsoft.
  • Python (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Python.
  • Scratch (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Scratch.
  • Process-based management: The process-based management approach is a methodology for planning, managing and overseeing of ICT resources in order to meet specific goals and using project management ICT tools.
  • Teradata Database: The computer program Teradata Database is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company Teradata Corporation.
  • Lean project management: The lean project management approach is a methodology for planning, managing and overseeing of ICT resources in order to meet specific goals and using project management ICT tools.
  • VBScript: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in VBScript.
  • Oracle Relational Database: The computer program Oracle Rdb is a tool for creating, updating and managing databases, developed by the software company Oracle.
  • COBOL: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in COBOL.
  • Product data management: The use of software to track all information concerning a product such as technical specifications, drawings, design specifications, and production costs.
  • Pascal (computer programming): The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Pascal.
  • ABAP: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in ABAP.
  • N1QL: The computer language N1QL is a query language for retrieval of information from a database and of documents containing the needed information. It is developed by the software company Couchbase.
  • Data models: The techniques and existing systems used for structuring data elements and showing relationships between them, as well as methods for interpreting the data structures and relationships.
  • Scala: The techniques and principles of software development, such as analysis, algorithms, coding, testing and compiling of programming paradigms in Scala.

Optional skills and competences

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of data warehouse designer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

  • Define database physical structure: Specify the physical configuration of database files on a given media. This consists of in-detail specifications of indexing options, data types and data elements placed in the data dictionary.
  • Perform data analysis: Collect data and statistics to test and evaluate in order to generate assertions and pattern predictions, with the aim of discovering useful information in a decision-making process.
  • Use access control software: Utilise software to define the roles and manage user authentication, privileges and access rights to ICT systems, data and services.
  • Develop reporting software: Create reporting software and applications used for creating reports on data.
  • Design database backup specifications: Specify procedures to be performed on databases which ensure the copying and archiving of data for possible restoration in case of a data loss event.
  • Apply technical communication skills: Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
  • Respond to customers’ inquiries: Answer customers’ questions about itineraries, rates and reservations in person, by mail, by e-mail and on the phone.
  • Build business relationships: Establish a positive, long-term relationship between organisations and interested third parties such as suppliers, distributors, shareholders and other stakeholders in order to inform them of the organisation and its objectives.
  • Perform resource planning: Estimate the expected input in terms of time, human and financial resources necessary to achieve the project objectives.
  • Design user interface: Create software or device components which enable interaction between humans and systems or machines, using appropriate techniques, languages and tools so as to streamline interaction while using the system or machine.

ISCO group and title

2521 – Database designers and administrators


References
  1. Data warehouse designer – ESCO
  2. Featured image: Photo by Luke Chesser on Unsplash
Last updated on August 7, 2023