My previous blog, where I had articles for more than 10 years around Data Warehousing and Data Modeling was deleted due to some misunderstanding with my hosting provider, but after some thought I would like to start fresh a new one and focus mainly on Data Modeling and Data Warehousing surrounding my favourite architecture, Data Vault 2.0.

DISCLAIMER: If you already know DV2.0 then you can skip this article.

What is Data Vault 2.0

Data Vault 2.0 is a data modeling approach that was developed by Dan Linstedt and is designed to support the creation of a long-term, scalable data warehouse. It is based on the original Data Vault model, which was designed to provide a flexible and scalable way to manage data in a data warehouse environment.

Data Vault 2.0 is an extension of the original Data Vault model and includes additional features and improvements. Some of the key features of Data Vault 2.0 include:

  • A focus on building a data warehouse that can be easily maintained and evolved over time
  • A modular design that allows data to be added or modified without requiring changes to the entire data model
  • The use of standardized, reusable components to improve the efficiency and speed of data modeling
  • A flexible, scalable architecture that can support large volumes of data and high levels of concurrency

Data Vault 2.0 is often used in conjunction with other data management tools and technologies, such as ETL (extract, transform, load) tools and data lakes, to support the creation of a comprehensive data management solution.

Main advantages

There are several advantages to using Data Vault 2.0 as a data modeling approach:

  1. Scalability: Data Vault 2.0 is designed to support the management of large volumes of data and high levels of concurrency, making it well-suited for use in data warehouses with a high volume of data.
  2. Modularity: The modular design of Data Vault 2.0 allows data to be added or modified without requiring changes to the entire data model, which can make it easier to maintain and evolve the data warehouse over time.
  3. Reusability: Data Vault 2.0 uses standardized, reusable components, which can improve the efficiency and speed of data modeling.
  4. Flexibility: Data Vault 2.0 is a flexible data modeling approach that can accommodate a wide range of data types and structures.
  5. Historical data management: Data Vault 2.0 is designed to support the management of historical data, allowing users to track changes to data over time and support the creation of historical reports.
  6. Data governance: Data Vault 2.0 includes features that support data governance, such as the ability to track data lineage and ensure data quality.
  7. Integration with other tools: Data Vault 2.0 can be used in conjunction with other data management tools and technologies, such as ETL (extract, transform, load) tools and data lakes, to support the creation of a comprehensive data management solution.

Main disadvantages

Some potential disadvantages of using Data Vault 2.0 as a data modeling approach include:

  1. Complexity: Data Vault 2.0 can be complex to implement and may require specialized training and expertise to use effectively.
  2. Performance: Data Vault 2.0 can potentially result in a larger number of tables and relationships compared to other data modeling approaches, which may impact query performance.
  3. Lack of support for certain types of data: Data Vault 2.0 may not be well-suited for certain types of data, such as data with complex relationships or data that requires a high level of normalization.
  4. Limited support for real-time reporting: Data Vault 2.0 is primarily designed for use in data warehouses and may not be well-suited for supporting real-time reporting or analytics.
  5. Data quality challenges: Data Vault 2.0 relies on the accuracy and completeness of the data being loaded into the data warehouse, and may not include built-in features for data cleansing or validation.

It’s worth noting that the suitability of Data Vault 2.0 for a given situation will depend on the specific requirements and constraints of the data management project. It may be necessary to carefully consider the trade-offs and potential drawbacks of Data Vault 2.0 before deciding to use it as the data modeling approach.

Conclusion

Knowing that all the alternative techniques such 3NF or Dimensional Modeling, have also their pros and cons, I would say DV2.0 is the best option for a complex, long lasting and modern Data Warehouse. We could say, that it is a recent technique that can fit in our current technologies.