Validate the model with representative queries

Choose several known business questions that exercise different parts of the Essbase cube model.

For example, log in to your cube from Smart View (or use the Analyze view in the Essbase web interface), and try the following types of Ad Hoc queries:

• Retrieve a detailed value and compare it with the source data.

• Retrieve a parent member and confirm that its children contribute as expected.

• Navigate through important Product, Market, and Time hierarchies.

• Verify calculated measures such as Gross Margin.

• Compare results across several dimensions.

Do not test only one successful intersection. Include queries that exercise the important hierarchies and calculations in the application.

If you aren't sure how to proceed, start by practicing in Sample Basic.

For example, in Sample Basic:

• Check a detailed intersection. Retrieve Sales for Cola, New York, Jan, Actual, and compare the result with the value you expect from the source data.

• Check a rollup. Retrieve Qtr1 and its Jan, Feb, and Mar children for the same Product and Market. Confirm that the quarterly result reflects the expected contribution of the monthly values.

• Check hierarchy navigation. Start with Product or Market totals, and drill through important branches to confirm that members are organized correctly.

• Check a formula member. Retrieve a formula-calculated measure such as Margin, and compare it with the values from which the calculation is derived.

• Check multidimensional behavior. Compare Actual and Budget for several products across markets or time periods to confirm that the dimensions work together as intended.

Note:

You can either perform these checks interactively in Smart View, or use MDX reports when you want a repeatable validation query.