Semantic Layer as a UX Strategy: Rethinking Power BI Models as Product Interfaces

[burakkaragoz]

1. The Data Model = A Product Interface

Instead of seeing a Power BI model as just a collection of tables and measures, imagine it as a product interface. When users interact with your model, what do they experience?

🧠 Ask Yourself:

• Do users trust the measures they select?
• Do field names communicate meaning clearly?
• Does the model guide users—or confuse them?

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2. The Semantic Layer as a UX Layer

The semantic layer—composed of measures, hierarchies, and field names—isn’t just technical metadata. It’s the bridge between data and human understanding.

🎯 What You Can Do:

• Use action-oriented measure names (e.g., Sales Generated by Region instead of Total Sales).
• Group hierarchies by business processes (e.g., “Sales Journey” → Quote > Order > Delivery).
• Design ToolTips to guide users through context and intent.

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3. User Testing for Models: Not Technical, but Experiential

In UX design, products are tested with real users. Why not apply the same principle to Power BI models?

🧪 How to Test:

• Ask users: “How would you answer this question using the model?”
• Evaluate how understandable your measures are.
• Observe where users get stuck or make incorrect assumptions.

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4. The Developer as a UX Designer

A Power BI developer isn’t just someone who writes DAX—they are a designer of data experiences. Embracing this mindset elevates your role from report builder to strategic UX architect.

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Conclusion

Power BI models don’t just deliver data—they deliver experiences. By treating the semantic layer as a UX strategy, we can build reports that are not only accurate, but also intuitive, usable, and impactful. This approach transforms Power BI development into a craft that blends logic with empathy.