A conformed dimension is a set of data attributes that have been physically
implemented in multiple database tables using the same
structure, attributes, domain values, definitions and concepts in each implementation.
Unlike in operational systems where data redundancy is normally
avoided, data replication is expected in the Data
Warehouse world. To provide fast access and intuitive "drill down"
capabilities of data originating from multiple operational systems, it is
often necessary to replicate dimensional data in Data
Warehouses and in Data Marts.
Un-conformed dimensions imply the existence of logical and/or physical
inconsistencies that should be avoided.
