VDM Differetiators

VDM is three things:

1. A Design Methodology appropriate for dimensional models, versioned dimensions, intelligent aggregation management and resilient data organization, particularly for large complex warehousing environments. It accumulates know-how and experience of more than 20 years.
2. A set of simple quick-to-learn Unix tools facilitating code generation and automation that support a spectrum of activities, from DDL and DML processes to parallel ETL frameworks and parsers that can supplement or replace expensive ETL technologies, and metadata transformations enabling inter-process hand-offs using machine readable documents.
3. A system development philosophy that removes ambiguity and improves both productivity and quality
   • Use Machine/Human readable documents and specifications whenever possible as handoffs between SDLC processes, e.g. mapping documents and ETL transformation
   • Automation must extend from requirement specification through all development processes to testing and acceptance.
   • Use agile techniques that enable many small changes over a few big ones
   • When it comes to quality, "Iterative improvement" wins hands down over "Get it right the first time" in all cases
   • A good development process is one where what is good for quality is also good for productivity and speed.
   • Enabling rapid change is essential for both quality and reliability. Rapid change can only be achieved by reducing human intervention in the maintenance cycle.
   • Progress is shrinking "what's left to do," not growing of "what's done."