A Framework for the Classification and Description of Multidimensional Data Models

The words On-Line Analytical Processing bring together a set of tools, that use multidimensional modeling in the management of information to improve the decision making process. Lately, a lot of work has been devoted to modeling the multidimensional space. The aim of this paper is twofold. On one hand, it compiles and classifies some of that work, with regard to the design phase they are used in. On the other hand, it allows to compare the different terminology used by each author, by placing all the terms in a common framework.