Semantic Models: Managing Models for Growth and Self-Service w/ Reid Havens

The semantic model should be the stable foundation of your analytics environment. It should not a place for report-specific experiments, formatting measures, or quick fixes. When the core model stays clean and well-structured, teams can extend it through composite models and report-layer logic without adding technical debt.
This session presents a practical semantic model lifecycle: how to design, publish, extend, and refactor models without breaking downstream reports. We’ll compare when to use calculation groups vs. DAX UDFs, where field parameters belong, and how to use Semantic Link and the Power BI MCP server to safely refactor, rename, reorganize, and validate dependencies across environments.
You’ll learn:

• What belongs in the shared semantic model vs. the report layer
• How to structure measures, folders, relationships, and calc groups for clarity
• How composite models enable report-specific logic without polluting the core model
• When to choose UDFs vs. calculation groups for reusable logic
• How Semantic Link and the MCP server support safe refactoring and lifecycle maintenance

Walk away with a framework for building once, extending safely, and preventing model clutter as your reporting ecosystem grows.

About Reid:
As the founder of Havens Consulting Inc. and a Microsoft MVP, Reid is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in technology, organizational management, and business analytics. With a Master's Degree in Organizational Development and a background in consulting for Fortune 10, 50, and 500 companies, Reid has the knowledge and expertise to help your organization succeed.
In addition to his corporate experience, Reid is also a highly sought-after instructor, teaching Business Intelligence, reporting, and data visualization at the University of Washington and other universities. His passion for education extends beyond the classroom, as he has been involved in the development of the PL-300, DP-500, and DP-600 Microsoft certifications. Also having developed numerous training curriculum’s delivered to companies around the world.
With his extensive background and expertise, Reid is the ideal choice to help your organization harness the power of modern BI and analytics tools and drive meaningful change. Contact Havens Consulting today and see what a difference Reid and his team can make for you.