Technical
Power BI modeling checklist: from raw files to reliable insights
Published Jan 28, 2026
A dashboard can look great and still fail in production: slow refresh, inconsistent numbers, or a model that becomes unmaintainable after a few iterations. This checklist focuses on the basics that keep Power BI solutions stable as usage grows.
1) Clarify the questions
- task_altDefine primary KPIs and how they are calculated.
- task_altConfirm time grain (daily, monthly) and cut-off rules.
- task_altDocument exceptions (reversals, cancellations, late-arriving data).
2) Shape data in Power Query (but keep it lean)
- task_altDo type casting and basic cleanup early.
- task_altAvoid heavy row-by-row custom logic when it can be pushed to SQL.
- task_altDisable load for staging queries.
3) Model as a star schema
- task_altSeparate facts (transactions) from dimensions (customers, products, dates).
- task_altUse a proper Date table and mark it as a date table.
- task_altPrefer single-direction relationships unless there is a clear reason.
4) Measures over calculated columns
Keep business logic in DAX measures where possible. It improves performance and reduces model bloat.