2024-11-03 · So-young Choi

dbt tests that stakeholders actually read

Student annotating dbt model lineage on printed handout

Analytics engineers often ship impeccable SQL with terse YAML descriptions. In Warehouse Modeling & dbt, we require plain-language descriptions on every mart exposed to PMs.

Learners write singular tests for business rules—refund windows, inactive account flags—and link them in the docs site. During critique, mentors ask: "Could a PM understand why this failed?"

We also practice freshness SLAs tied to Korean retail calendars, including Lunar New Year quiet weeks. Teams present a readout slide with expected delay, not just pass/fail badges.

The outcome is a portfolio artifact that doubles as internal documentation—a habit that sticks after the cohort ends.

Tags: dbt, Documentation

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