topic Applying SCD (slow changing dimensions) in OLTP or OLAP in Data Engineering

Applying SCD (slow changing dimensions) in OLTP or OLAP

AmitDevkatte — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 09:52:26 GMT

Hi , I have a doubt regarding where to apply the SCD type 1 and 2 in data engineering pipeline. which is the best option to implement it in OLTP or in OLAP?

Re: Applying SCD (slow changing dimensions) in OLTP or OLAP

lbendlin — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 14:21:58 GMT

A change is a transaction.

What do you mean by "apply" - please elaborate.

Re: Applying SCD (slow changing dimensions) in OLTP or OLAP

v-saisrao-msft — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 08:33:27 GMT

Hi @AmitDevkatte,

SCD Type 1 and Type 2 are best managed in the OLAP or data warehouse layer, rather than in OLTP systems. OLTP systems are designed to capture current transactional data, whereas OLAP systems handle historical analysis and dimensional modeling. Microsoft documentation states that SCD is a data warehousing technique applied to dimension tables through ETL tools. Therefore, OLTP systems provide the data changes, and SCD processes should be carried out in the OLAP layer.

Slowly changing dimension type 1 - Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft Learn

Slowly changing dimension type 2 - Microsoft Fabric | Microsoft Learn

Slowly Changing Dimension Transformation - SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) | Microsoft Learn

Online Analytical Processing - Azure Architecture Center | Microsoft Learn

Thank you.

Re: Applying SCD (slow changing dimensions) in OLTP or OLAP

AmitDevkatte — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:12:29 GMT

Thanks for the detailed explaination. Also providing links for further reading is much appreciated.👍