MicroStrategy Hierarchy Modeling – A Better Approach for Flexible, Dynamic Hierarchies 

Though the various BI dashboards supported in the MicroStrategy platform can be customized, doing so can be challenging. Smartbridge has evaluated multiple methods to achieve hierarchy customization for the dynamic industries that require them.

Tailoring MicroStrategy Hierarchies to Fit the Needs of Dynamic Industries

MicroStrategy is one of the leading software vendors in enterprise business intelligence (BI) today. This platform supports various types of scorecards, interactive dashboards, and automated reports. Traditionally, hierarchies within the MicroStrategy platform are modeled with fixed tables, categories and levels, which can often be limiting due to dynamic real-world cases. Further, maintenance and scaleability to this solution can prove challenging.

Smartbridge is a MicroStrategy partner

In this video, BI & Analytics Manager Silesh Amujuri dives into various MicroStrategy hierarchy solutions to eliminate these challenges.

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Video Key-points: Solution Methods for Hierarchies

Method #0: Traditional Flat Hierarchy with Flat Tables

Data Architecture

  • Dimension table for every level

  • Fact table for every level

MicroStrategy Schema

  • Fixed hierarchy levels

  • Fixed hierarchy level names

  • Each hierarchy requires a new set of hierarchy objects

  • Hierarchy attributes have logical names

Method #1: Traditional Flat Hierarchy with Recursive Tables

Data Architecture

  • One dimension table for all levels

  • One fact table for all levels

  • One recursive relationship table

MicroStrategy Schema

  • Alias/Logical table for every level

  • Fixed hierarchy levels

  • Fixed hierarchy level names

  • Each hierarchy requires a new set of hierarchy objects

  • Hierarchy attributes have logical names

Method #2: Recursive Hierarchy with Single Child Level

Data Architecture

  • One dimension table for all levels

  • One fact table for all levels

  • One recursive relationship table

MicroStrategy Schema

  • Parent/Child recursive attribute hierarchy

  • Dynamic hierarchy levels and hierarchyies

  • Dynamic hierarchy level names

  • Hierarchy attributes are names Parent/Child

Method #3: Recursive Hierarchy with All Child Levels 

Data Architecture

  • One dimension table for all levels

  • One fact table for all levels

  • One recursive relationship table

MicroStrategy Schema

  • Parent/Child recursive attribute hierarchy

  • Dynamic hierarchy levels and hierarchyies

  • Dynamic hierarchy level names

  • Hierarchy attributes are names Parent/Child

  • Distance attribute adds more flexibility with hierarchy display

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As a MicroStrategy partner, we are here to integrate the solutions you need into your business. Contact us to speak with a MicroStrategy specialist.

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