answering-natural-language-questions-with-dbt

Answering Natural Language Questions with dbt

Overview

Answer data questions using the best available method: semantic layer first, then SQL modification, then model discovery, then manifest analysis. Always exhaust options before saying "cannot answer."

Use for: Business questions from users that need data answers

• "What were total sales last month?"
• "How many active customers do we have?"
• "Show me revenue by region"

Not for:

• Validating model logic during development
• Testing dbt models or semantic layer definitions
• Building or modifying dbt models
• dbt run, dbt test, or dbt build workflows

Decision Flow

flowchart TD
    start([Business question received])

Quick Reference

Approach 1: Semantic Layer Query

When list_metrics and query_metrics are available:

1. list_metrics - find relevant metric
2. get_dimensions - verify required dimensions exist
3. query_metrics - execute with appropriate filters

If semantic layer can't answer directly (missing dimension, need custom logic) → go to Approach 2.

Approach 2: Modified Compiled SQL

When semantic layer has the metric but needs minor modifications:

• Missing dimension (join + group by)
• Custom filter not available as a dimension
• Case when logic for custom categorization
• Different aggregation than what's defined

1. get_metrics_compiled_sql - get the SQL that would run (returns raw SQL, not Jinja)
2. Modify SQL to add what's needed
3. execute_sql to run the raw SQL
4. Always suggest updating the semantic model if the modification would be reusable

Note: The compiled SQL contains resolved table names, not {{ ref() }}. Work with the raw SQL as returned.

Approach 3: Model Discovery

When no semantic layer but get_all_models/get_model_details available:

1. get_mart_models - start with marts, not staging
2. get_model_details for relevant models - understand schema
3. Write SQL using {{ ref('model_name') }}
4. show --inline "..." or execute_sql

Prefer marts over staging - marts have business logic applied.

Approach 4: Manifest/Catalog Analysis

When in a dbt project but no MCP server:

1. Check for target/manifest.json and target/catalog.json
2. Filter before reading - these files can be large

3. Write SQL based on discovered schema
4. Explain: "This SQL should run in your warehouse. I cannot execute it without database access."

Suggesting Improvements

When in a dbt project, suggest semantic layer changes after answering (or when cannot answer):

Stay at semantic layer level. Do NOT suggest:

• Database schema changes
• ETL pipeline modifications
• "Ask your data engineering team to..."

Rationalizations to Resist

Red Flags - STOP

• Writing SQL without checking if semantic layer can answer
• Saying "cannot answer" without trying all 4 approaches
• Suggesting database-level fixes for semantic layer gaps
• Reading entire manifest.json without filtering
• Using staging models when mart models exist
• Using this to validate model correctness rather than answer business questions

Common Mistakes