MSAS - Browsing the Dependency Network

The predictive model of the decision tree helps users determine whether similar cases will have a similar behavior. The attributes of the tree can be examined for impact analysis by using the Dependency Network Browser. This can be opened by right clicking on a decision tree data mining model in the Analysis services explorer tree control.

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The Dependency Network Browser window contains a slider on the left and a display window on the right. It contains a Close and help button at the bottom.

When the slider is moved up and down the weaker links get shaded grey and the stronger links remain highlighted. The predicted node and that which it predicts are shown in colors. This helps the user understand which attribute strongly influences behavior. When the slider is moved to the bottom of the window, it displays the yearly income as the strongest factor influencing golden card membership.

The number of children, marital status and so on impact at different levels. This information is useful in understanding the target segment so that we can focus upon a business strategy for them.

It is clear that the data mining process begins with a question and then data is examined and analyzed to provide answers to the question. Based on the replies received marketing strategies are framed and the results can again be used to ask smarter questions.

With this we come to the end of the series of tutorials aimed to introduce the user to various components of the Analysis services and how to use them….It is hoped that the readers found this series useful and informative.