Those of you with multiple data domains in Fabric — one big semantic model or split by domain? How are you handling the trade-offs?

Summary

The debate over whether to split data domains in Microsoft Fabric is crucial for optimizing BI implementations.

What's happening?

In a Microsoft Fabric implementation for a client, the focus is on structuring data models effectively. The client utilizes a single gold lakehouse with Power BI reports across three domains: Sales, Finance, and Operations, along with an executive report that spans all three. There is ongoing deliberation on whether to maintain one unified semantic model or to divide it into domain-specific models.

Why this matters for BI professionals

This issue touches on the core of data management and reporting flows in BI environments. The choice between an integrated model or separated entities impacts the flexibility, scalability, and manageability of analytics. In an era where data integration is crucial for rapid decision-making, BI professionals must be aware of the pros and cons of their model structures and the effects on competitors that may adopt different approaches.

Concrete takeaway for BI professionals

BI professionals need to evaluate how data should be best managed and presented within their organization. Consider large-scale versus segmented options, and discern which approach aligns best with the specific needs of stakeholders in the organization.