SQLSaturday #59 – Speaker Interview #16 with DW Expert, Chuck Kelley
Working on a large DW project, I had the pleasure of meeting and working with Chuck Kelley, at a mutual client. We pulled out all stops looking for the right person with the experience to lead the project. All bets were riding on this high-profile endeavor, as well as the reputation of IT as a whole. As we were forewarned by the architects of the system that we were facing an "impossible data warehouse" situation, we thought why not bring in the person who wrote the book? So, we did.
Co-author of the book, Impossible Data Warehouse Situations: Solutions from the Experts, Chuck Kelley - internationally known DW expert, and prominent individual skilled in the art of designing data warehouses, will be presenting a unique data warehousing technique called the Data Vault.
Chuck has 30 years of experience in designing and implementing operational/production systems and data warehouses. He has worked in some facet of the design and implementation phase of more than 50 data warehouses and data marts. He also teaches seminars, co-authored four books on data warehousing and has been published in many trade magazines on database technology, data warehousing and enterprise data strategies. He is considered one of the early pioneers in the industry, next to his compatriots, Bill Inmon and Ralph Kimball.
RP: Please tell us a little about yourself, your background, your career and your involvement in the SQL Community.
CK: I started doing databases (not SQL Server) in 1977 and have never looked back. Working with SQL Server 7 was interesting, but it has been quite exciting watching SQL Server grow with 2005, 2008 and now 2008R2. Mostly, I have built Enterprise Data Warehouses on SQL Server.
RP: What is your area of expertise? How did you become a DBA/SQL Professional?
CK: My strongest area of expertise is the architecture, design, and physical implementation of Enterprise Data Warehouses and Data Marts, although I have built numerous transactional systems as well. Having worked with practically every database that has been on the market, I quickly moved into SQL Server when my customers decided to build their EDW in SQL Server.
RP: What actually brought you into this field, particularly data warehousing?
CK: In the late 80s, I was working at Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) in the database group. I noticed there was starting to be some buzz around data warehousing, but I was more in tune with operational systems. In 1990, I saw a few books about Data Warehouse by this guy named W. H. Inmon.
RP: When did you realize the value of the data warehouse to companies and advent of business intelligence in the enterprise?
CK: I realized in the early 1990 that the value to enterprises of any size was going to be fairly high. At the time, I told DEC that I would like to move the consulting group I managed toward that arena, but they didn't see the benefit at that time. There was still much to do with transaction systems. And they were correct. So I decided to depart from them and start my own consulting company dedicated to database (for the financial side!) and data warehouse (for the bleeding edge side).
RP: What advice would you give your fellow colleagues who are trying to become more senior professionals?
CK: This is always an interesting question. When asked what do I need to do to become a DBA, I ask my first question – Do you like giving up nights, weekends and holidays? That is when maintenance and moving to production usually happen. If you don’t like working during that time, being a DBA may not be for you. After that, I ask, are you a masochist? We all know that every problem is a database problem … at least until we prove otherwise (as we certainly almost always do!). Who (other than me!) would allow themselves to be put through such self abuse?
RP: As I see the question all the time, what do you tell folks who want to get more involved in the SQL Community?
CK: I am not that tuned into the SQL Community except via PASS and, of course, Robert Pearl.
RP: What are you working on currently? (Projects, Books/Articles, Speaking circuit, etc.)
CK: I am currently working on a large EDW for a well known department store building out their data warehouse (although it is not in SQL Server). I continue to write my Design Channel at the B-Eye-Network (although I am a bit behind).
RP: What are some of your other interests, hobbies, etc. when you’re not being a DBA/Engineer/BI professional?
CK: Who has time? I work nights, weekends, and holidays! Actually, I love traveling and learning about different cultures as well as ballroom dancing – great exercise and a lot of fun.
RP: What are you looking forward to, or, what excites you the most about presenting at our SQLSaturday event in the capital of the world, NYC?
CK: Introducing a new design technique (well 5 years is relatively new!) that works well in the SQL Server environment is what I am looking forward to. Also, visiting with my friends and colleagues while I am in NYC is high on my priority list. Of course, a trip to Manhattan would not be complete without eating at Virgil’s BBQ.
RP: Give us a preview of the topic and session you have planned for us at SQLSaturday#59
CK: I am introducing the design technique called the Data Vault. It has been around for a few years and I have successfully implemented technique at a number of large sites.
Data vaults are new constructs for the Data Warehouse. This session will 1) Introduce and discuss the data vault design technique 2) Discussion data movement from a data vault to a dimensional model and 3) Provide high performance ETL to implement them within SQL Server.
If you want to learn more about Chuck and his thoughts and opinions on BI in the enterprise, Data Warehousing and SQL Server, you can check out my previously published two-part interview series Part I, and Part II, on SQLServerCentral.com
Many thanks, Chuck, for taking some time out of your schedule to participate in our speaker interview series. We will see you on November the 20th, at our little event in NYC, called SQLSaturday#59!
