Skill Set Inventory

Informatica Professional Certification Examination S

PowerCenter 8 Mapping Design

The PowerCenter 8 Mapping Design examination is composed of the fourteen sections listed
below. In order to ensure that you are prepared for the test, review the subtopics associated
with each section. The Informatica documentation is an excellent source of information on the
material that will be covered in the examination. If you are thoroughly knowledgeable in the
areas mentioned in this Skill Set Inventory, you will do well on the examination.

The examination is designed to test for “expert level” knowledge. Informatica strongly
urges you to attain a complete understanding of these topics before you attempt to take
the examination. Hands-on experience with the software is the best way to gain this
understanding.

1. Terminology and Architecture

A. Explain the purpose of Informatica PowerCenter
B. Define terms used in PowerCenter
C. Name major PowerCenter components and describe their functions

2. Mapping Fundamentals
A. Create Source and Target definition objects from flat files and relational tables
B. Create a Mapping using existing Source and Target definitions
C. Use links to connect ports

3. Workflow basics
A. Create a Workflow and link its tasks
B. Run a Workflow, monitor its execution, and verify the results

4. Expressions and FIlters

A. Use Expression transformations to perform calculations on a row-by-row basis
B. Use Filter transformations to pass rows based on user-defined conditions

5. Joining and Merging Data

A. Use pipeline branches in Mappings
B. Join homogeneous Sources using the Source Qualifier transformation
C. Define heterogeneous joins using the Joiner transformation
D. Merge records from multiple places to one record set using the Union transformation

6. Lookup Transformation
A. Use Lookup transformations to bring in additional data related to a row
B. Use unconnected Lookup transformations to provide values on an as-needed basis

7. Sorter and Aggregator Transformations

A. Calculate values based on data in a set of records using the Aggregator transformation
B. Order a set of records based on one or more fields using the Aggregator transformation
8. Updating Target Tables
A. Use an Update Strategy transformation to determine how the Target should handle records
(insert, update, delete)

9. Debugger
A. Use the Debug wizard and toolbar to debug a Mapping

10. Mapping Techniques

A. Set and use system and Mapping variables and parameters
B. Create and use reusable transformations
C. Use a Router transformation to divide a single set of records into multiple sets of records

11. Mapplets and Worklets

A. Describe Mapplets
B. Know how to use mapplet Output transformations and output groups.
C. Know the rules regarding active and passive mapplets.
D. Use Mapplets in Mappings
E. Describe Worklets

12. Controlling Workflows

A. Set and use Workflow variables
B. Use link conditions and Decision tasks to control the execution of a Workflow
C. Create and use other Workflow tasks including Email, Event Wait, Event Raise, and
Command
D. Explain the purpose of the pmcmd utility
E. Schedule workflows to run automatically

13. Mapping Design

A. Follow recommended best practices for Mapping design

14. Workflow Design

A. Follow recommended best practices for Workflow design