When migrating content between Tableau servers, certain types of content may require special consideration or different tools for migration:

Tableau Prep Flows: These are specific to Tableau Prep and are not included in the standard content migration capabilities of the Tableau Content Migration Tool. Tableau Prep flows often require separate processes for migration due to their distinct setup and integration with data sources and workflows.

Published Data Sources and Workbooks: These can typically be migrated directly using the Tableau Content Migration Tool, which supports moving published data sources (both live connections and extracts) and workbooks without requiring additional tools.

When field agents are unable to access workbooks due to issues with security token-based credentials, the most immediate and least disruptive solution is to renew the security token. This can be done through the Data Connection settings on Tableau Server. Renewing the token will restore access for the field agents without requiring them to take any action or affecting other users.

To improve performance by moving calculations to the data layer and materializing them in the extract, the consultant should choose calculations that benefit from pre-computation and significantly reduce the load during query time:

Aggregation-Level Calculation: The formula SUM([Profit])/SUM([Sales]) calculates a ratio at an aggregate level, which is ideal for pre-computation. Materializing this calculation in the extract means that the complex division operation is done once and stored, rather than being recalculated every time the report is accessed.

Performance Improvement: By pre-computing this aggregate ratio, Tableau can utilize the pre-calculated fields directly in visualizations, which speeds up report loading and interaction times as the heavy lifting of data processing is done during the data preparation stage.

The Tableau Catalog is part of the Tableau Data Management Add-on and is designed to help users understand the data they are using within Tableau. It provides a comprehensive view of all the data assets in Tableau Server or Tableau Online, including databases, tables, and fields. It can help identify issues such as data quality, data lineage, and impact analysis. In this case, where different departments are getting different answers to the same business questions, the Tableau Catalog can be used to track down inconsistencies and ensure that everyone is working from the same, reliable data source.

When “Apply to Nested Projects” is checked in Tableau Server, the permission rules set at the top-level project are enforced for all assets in the project and all nested projects. This means that any custom access previously granted to nested projects will be overridden, and the permissions will revert to those defined at the top-level project. This action ensures consistent application of the data governance strategy across all divisions.

The discrepancy between the count of workbooks in the Connected Workbooks tab and the lineage count in Tableau Catalog can occur because of user permissions. In Tableau Data Management, the visibility of connected workbooks is subject to the permissions set by administrators. If a user does not have permission to view certain workbooks, they will not see them listed in the Connected Workbooks tab, even though these workbooks are part of the data source’s lineage and are counted in Tableau Catalog.

To effectively curate and document data for obtaining data lineage, particularly from a data source connected to a data lake, the recommended tool is:

Tableau Catalog with Tableau Data Management Add-on: This add-on enhances the capabilities of Tableau Catalog, providing extensive features for data management, including detailed data lineage, impact analysis, and metadata management.

Functionality: The Tableau Catalog with the Data Management Add-on allows users to see the full history and lineage of the data, trace its usage across all Tableau content, and understand dependencies. It also facilitates better governance and transparency in data handling.

Why Choose this Tool: For a client needing comprehensive data lineage and documentation capabilities, this add-on ensures that data stewards and users can maintain and utilize a well-managed data environment. It supports robust data governance practices necessary for large and complex data ecosystems like those typically associated with data lakes.

References

The recommendation is based on the functionalities offered by the Tableau Data Management Add-on, as described in Tableau's official documentation on managing and documenting data sources for enhanced governance and operational efficiency.