The modeling workbench was introduced in IBM Planning Analytics and remains available as a beta feature (in 2.0.65). You can now open the modeling workbench from the Planning Analytics Workspace environment (in earlier versions entry was through a separate URL).  You can use the workbench to do almost anything you need to do within a model, from creating, editing and deleting objects and running processes and chores to more “administrative” tasks like editing settings, importing data, reloading an unloading cube and even effect security.

To use the workbench, you first need to create one by clicking the Home menu, then click New > Workbench.

A blank workbench is shown below, with the Modeling tools (object editors) section in the upper left, Databases in the lower left and the general “editing area”, in the center:

Working with Objects

To create a new object (like a cube, dimension, process, or chore) on the workbench you can click the appropriate link in the Modeling tools list, or you can create the new object directly from the Databases data tree by right clicking the applicable node, then clicking Create asset_type. To open and edit an existing object, you right-click it in the data tree and then click Edit asset_type.

When you initially open or create an object, the modeling tool for the object is inserted as a new tab on the active tabset within the workbench. Once there, you can move the modeling tool within the workbench to create an editing environment that you are comfortable with – again more like a real IDE! In addition, the workbench even allows you to drag and drop an existing object from the Databases data tree directly onto the workbench, choosing where you want to drop the object.

The flexibility managing the workbench layout is a feature that takes a step towards providing more of an “IDE” or Integrated Development Environment experience that as a developer you may be used to working in.

Floating Windows

Another “cool” feature of the workbench is the ability to utilize “floating windows”. Basically, you can open any modeling tool in a separate window that is “detached” from the workbench (the functionality of the modeling tool is the same whether you open it in a floating window or work within the modeling workbench).

To open a modeling tool in a separate window you click the tab for the editor, then click Open tab in floating window. To return the separate editor window to the workbench, click Return to workbench.

Where is it?

A keen time saver in the Modeling Workbench is the search feature which allows you to perform a global search for any data item (cubes, dimensions, views, sets, processes, chores, rules, and control objects) within a selected database. To perform a search, you click the Search button on the left side of the workbench:

In the panel that opens, you need to select the database (if you are logged into multiple databases) in which you want to search in and then enter the name of the data item you are searching for. Here is an example. I’ve typed the word “budget” into the search field and the results are immediately shown below. We can see that there are numerous references within the Planning Sample database containing the phrase budget, including a number of saved cube views:

Another handy feature is that you can scroll-through the list (of search results) and then right click on an object to edit/run/delete or find out more about that object:

Interested in Learning More?

Are you interested in finding out more about how to use the Planning Analytics Modeling Workbench? Then Contact QueBIT today and we’ll be happy to introduce you to this new tool!