ODI12C Load Plan Structure FAQS

1. What is the structure of a Load Plan?

A Load Plan is composed of a hierarchy of steps. Each step can contain child steps, forming a tree-like structure. Depending on the step type, execution can be:

·        Sequential (serial)

·        Parallel

·        Conditional

 

2. What is the root step in a Load Plan?

Every Load Plan contains a root Serial Step by default:

·        It is mandatory

·        It cannot be changed

·        It controls the overall execution flow of the Load Plan

 

3. What are the different types of Load Plan steps?

The main step types are:

·        Serial Step

·        Parallel Step

·        Run Scenario Step

·        Case Step (When / Else)

·        Exception Step

 

4. What is a Serial Step?

A Serial Step executes its child steps one after another:

·        Execution is sequential

·        The next step starts only after the previous one completes

·        Used when order of execution is important

 

5. What child steps can a Serial Step contain?

A Serial Step can contain:

·        Serial step

·        Parallel step

·        Run Scenario step

·        Case step

 

6. What is a Parallel Step?

A Parallel Step executes its child steps simultaneously:

·        All child steps start immediately

·        Execution order is based on priority

·        Used to improve performance and reduce load time

 

7. What child steps can a Parallel Step contain?

A Parallel Step can contain:

·        Serial step

·        Parallel step

·        Run Scenario step

·        Case step

 

8. What is a Run Scenario Step?

A Run Scenario Step:

·        Executes a specific scenario

·        Is a leaf node in the Load Plan

·        Cannot have child steps

 

9. What is a Case Step?

A Case Step is used for conditional execution based on variables:

·        Works like an IF-ELSE logic

·        Evaluates conditions and executes appropriate steps

 

10. What are When and Else steps?

·        When Step:

o   Executes if a condition is true

o   Only the first matching When condition is executed

·        Else Step:

o   Executes when no When condition is satisfied

 

11. What child steps can When and Else steps contain?

Both When and Else steps can contain:

·        Serial step

·        Parallel step

·        Run Scenario step

·        Case step

 

12. What is an Exception Step?

An Exception Step defines steps to execute when an error occurs:

·        Triggered when a linked step fails

·        Can be attached to multiple steps

·        Helps in error handling and recovery

 

13. What child steps can an Exception Step contain?

An Exception Step can contain:

·        Serial step

·        Parallel step

·        Run Scenario step

·        Case step

 

14. How does conditional branching work in Case Steps?

·        ODI evaluates When conditions in order

·        Executes the first valid When step

·        If none match, the Else step is executed

 

15. How is a typical Load Plan structured in real scenarios?

Example (Data Warehouse Load):

·        Dimensions loaded in parallel

o   Time, Product, Customer

o   Geography (executed sequentially inside a serial step)

o   Conditional customer load (e.g., North/South based on variable)

·        Geography dimension flow (serial):

o   LOAD_GEO_ZONE_DIM

o   LOAD_COUNTRIES_DIM

o   LOAD_CITIES_DIM

·        Fact tables loaded in parallel:

o   LOAD_SALES_FACT

o   LOAD_MARKETING_FACT

 

16. What is the benefit of using different step types?

·        Serial Steps → Control execution order

·        Parallel Steps → Improve performance

·        Case Steps → Add dynamic logic

·        Exception Steps → Handle failures

 

17. Can steps be nested in a Load Plan?

Yes. Steps can be nested in multiple levels:

·        Parallel inside Serial

·        Serial inside Case

·        Case inside Parallel
This allows building complex execution workflows.

If you want, I can also convert this into a visual hierarchy diagram (tree structure) of a Load Plan—this is very useful for interviews and quick understanding.