Global Modeling is available for Standard Enterprise by request from your SqlDBM Account Manager.
Global Reference addresses a critical challenge in modern data management: sharing and controlling data objects across multiple projects while avoiding collisions. It allows the creation of smaller, manageable shared projects that act as central reference points for other projects within the organization.
With this feature, users can reference objects from one project to another. Referenced objects are included as read-only and help to modularize business domain separation and dependencies. Users in referencing projects are notified of any changes made to objects in parent projects. This functionality is not limited to projects of the same database type—objects from various databases/data warehouses can be visualized on the same diagram!
Enabling Global Modeling visibility for a project
Designating a project as Global Modeling-enabled grants everyone in the organization view access and the ability to reference its objects in their own projects. For this reason, projects are not automatically enrolled in Global Modeling and must opt-in.
To enable Global Modeling for a project:
Go to the three dots on the dashboard
Toggle the Global modeling switch
Observe that the "Global" label is applied to Global-enabled projects on the dashboard.
Referencing Global Objects
Once a Global-enabled project becomes available to everyone in the organization its objects become visible and eligible for referencing in other projects.
Referencing an object does the following:
A read-only version of the object is added to the child project
This feature is not limited to projects of the same database type
This feature is not limited to tables. Views, functions, and procedures can be referenced.
The child project does not have to also be a Global Project
The child project can include the referenced object in diagrams and create relationships
Members of the child project team receive email notifications if changes are made to the referenced object
Members of the child project team can update the referenced object to its latest version (and their dependent objects)
Referenced object updates are included in the revision of the child project
Adding Global References to a project
To add a Global Reference to a project, follow the steps below.
Right-click on the canvas or find the "Global objects" menu in the Database or Diagram Explorer.
Select the object(s) from the list of Global-enabled projects that you wish to add.
Observe the Global Object added to your project.
Global Objects are visible under their related parent projects in the Explorer menu
Global Objects on the diagram are displayed with a dotted outline and:
The icon of the Global Project database type
The name of the Global Project
The Global Project revision (i.e., v3) when at which the reference was made
(see below for identifying changes to global objects)
Add relationships to existing objects.
Global Objects can form relationships to existing project objects. This can be used to document lineage and dependencies.
Reacting to Global Object updates
To stay current and ensure consistency, project teams will receive notifications if the objects they reference are modified in the parent project, allowing them to anticipate and react to upstream changes.
When a referenced object is updated in the parent project, an email alert is sent to all members of the referencing project teams. Within the referencing projects, indicators also alert users that updates to the model are required.
Alerts
Once a referenced Global Object is changed, an email alert will be sent to all members of the referencing project teams.
Members of the referencing project teams can follow the links in the email to open their projects and make the necessary adjustments.
Updating the child project
Upon receiving the email alert or opening a project with non-current Global Objects, users will see indicators alerting them of the updates that need to be made.
Global object change indicators include:
A refresh icon in the "Global objects" explorer menu
When multiple changes exist, they can be applied simultaneously by pressing the refresh icon at the object, object type, or project level.
An asterisk is displayed next to the Global Object version on the diagram.
A refresh icon is displayed next to the Global Object on the diagram.
Once the object is refreshed, the Global Object will be updated to its current version, and its revision number will reflect that of its (latest) parent Global Project. The user project revision will be incremented as with any project change.
See also