What are essential things to know before working on sas in an organization

[ayetullah]

I'm workning in an organization where I've to diliver all statistical and summerize reports, and I'm new to this project.. What are the essential things I should know or ask before I start. Earlier this project was not on SAS, but now I've to migrate it on SAS...

What are the steps to follow:

For Ex: I should have knowledge of Data stucture, Type of database, server locations etc.

Please mention what all I should know other than obove points..

Thank You!  

[Patrick]

@ayetullah

What are the essential things I should know or ask before I start

That really depends on the project, the phase and your role in the project.

First thing you need to understand is your role and the expectations for this role (=what's required for you to succeed).

If you are in some sort of lead role (i.e. tech lead, solution architect) then you certainly want to understand the business requirements and expectations, the timelines, the budget, the constraints, the importance for the organization,....

You want to see a project plan and understand the project phases, the project roles, the project approach (agile or waterfall) ...and so on.

If in a lead role then I'd start with some sort of GAP analysis.

1. Where do I want to be? - requirements and expectations

2. What do I have? - all the questions you now can ask like what already has been done and thought of, what data sources there are to meet the requirements, how the infrastructure looks like, what technology to use (i.e. SAS), etc. etc.

3. How do I get there? - that would then be your solution mapping / high level design. If SAS is the chosen technology then an understanding of SAS technology is required for this task.

Don't get technical too quickly. First understand the WHY and WHAT before you dive into the HOW.

....and if you are not in a lead role then relax. Ask what's expected from you, assess if you've got everything required for you to succeed and eventually ask for what's missing (i.e. SAS training).

[ayetullah]

Hi Patrick,

Thanks for your brief answer!

Basically, I want to know as technically what should I know before I jump into, for ex: Server details, if there is odbc with sas, type of database, how to cnnect etc etc..

So before getting into, I prepare all the ground works.

Thanks,

[LinusH]

Anything that would fit into a maintenance documentation:

• Data: from where, how, what, how/where stored in SAS env.
• Logic: SAS programs, batches/ad-hoc
• Authorization/authentication
• SAS products
• SAS servers, client installations
• Major business requirements, road map
• Contact persons IT/business/SAS
• ...

[Reeza]

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@ayetullah wrote:

Hi Patrick,

Thanks for your brief answer!

Basically, I want to know as technically what should I know before I jump into, for ex: Server details, if there is odbc with sas, type of database, how to cnnect etc etc..

So before getting into, I prepare all the ground works.

Thanks,

---

SAS is too big for that. 99% of applications can do what you're mentioning above. If you have absolutely no experience with SAS I would first recommend understanding your role. You're question is too broad at the moment. 

If you're looking to get familiar with all the capabilities of SAS I would highly suggest looking at the AnalyticsX forum proceedings which I think are running right now. Additionally, find your local user group, if it exists and ask your SAS rep to walk you through some things. 

SAS has two free e-training courses online, one that introduces you to the programming language and one that is more focused on statistics. 

Everything you've mentioned below I've worked wtih and it's taken me 10+ years to become somewhat familiar with it.