4. Approach

4.1. Methodology

Due the purposes of this project we characterize our methodology according two perspectives: (i) goal-oriented – the project intends to solve a problem related with integration of cash movements of business establishments; (ii) user-driven – the project has strong support of users in order to meet its requirements 23.

The methodology adopted in his work has four stages and seven phases (Table 1). Each stage includes one or more phases: (s1) definition; (s2) execution; (s3) exploration; (s4) tests.

Table 1. Methodology stages and phases

table 1

The definition stage (s1) was divided into three phases: (i) in the first phase was defined the core of the project and the requirements to a successful implementation (functional and non-functional requirements definitions); (ii) in the second phase was defined the architecture of the project. It was decided to build the DW based on Microsoft technology, namely Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and its Integration Services (SSIS) and Analysis Services (SSAS) components; (iii) in the third phase was defined the Multidimensional model.

In the execution stage (s2) were included two phases: (i) execution of the Integration Services phase; (ii) execution of the Analysis Services phase

During the exploration stage (s3) was designed a Spreadsheet for information retrieved and exploration.

Finally, in the tests stage (s4) were performed a set of tests in order to evaluate the results.

For better understanding of the procedures performed during the stages of the project, each phase will be described in the next sub-sections.