Article
Handing over a Power BI semantic model
A semantic model is ready for handover when operations can refresh it, explain a number, and change a filter without a further request. I design the model and the SQL around that, not around the first demo.
What I agree first
Who will own the workspace, where refresh can fail, and which decisions the report has to support. Requirements and constraints are agreed before the model is built.
The path from warehouse to Power BI is designed as one piece of work. A measure that cannot be traced to a column in the warehouse is not ready to hand over.
What operations receive
A semantic model other reports can reuse, a refresh that runs on a defined schedule, and a report they can filter without asking for a new page.
Handover assumes they can run it without further support. If a gateway, a credential, or a warehouse job still sits with me, the release is not finished.
Questions
What does handing over a Power BI semantic model mean?
Operations can refresh the model, explain a number, and change a filter without a further request. The warehouse, the model, and the report are designed as one piece of work.
What does a handover include?
A reusable semantic model, scheduled refresh, and a report stakeholders can use independently. Gateway and warehouse ownership are agreed before release.