Answering Natural Language Questions with dbt

Overview

Answer data questions using the best available method: semantic layer first, then SQL modification, then model discovery, then manifest analysis. Always exhaust options before saying "cannot answer."

Use for: Business questions from users that need data answers

• "What were total sales last month?"
• "How many active customers do we have?"
• "Show me revenue by region"

Not for:

• Validating model logic during development
• Testing dbt models or semantic layer definitions
• Building or modifying dbt models
• dbt run, dbt test, or dbt build workflows

Decision Flow

flowchart TD
    start([Business question received])
    check_sl{Semantic layer tools available?}
    list_metrics[list_metrics]
    metric_exists{Relevant metric exists?}
    get_dims[get_dimensions]
    sl_sufficient{SL can answer directly?}
    query_metrics[query_metrics]
    answer([Return answer])
    try_compiled[get_metrics_compiled_sql<br/>Modify SQL, execute_sql]
    check_discovery{Model discovery tools available?}
    try_discovery[get_mart_models<br/>get_model_details<br/>Write SQL, execute]
    check_manifest{In dbt project?}
    try_manifest[Analyze manifest/catalog<br/>Write SQL]
    cannot([Cannot answer])
    suggest{In dbt project?}
    improvements[Suggest semantic layer changes]
    done([Done])

    start --> check_sl
    check_sl -->|yes| list_metrics
    check_sl -->|no| check_discovery
    list_metrics --> metric_exists
    metric_exists -->|yes| get_dims
    metric_exists -->|no| check_discovery
    get_dims --> sl_sufficient
    sl_sufficient -->|yes| query_metrics
    sl_sufficient -->|no| try_compiled
    query_metrics --> answer
    try_compiled -->|success| answer
    try_compiled -->|fail| check_discovery
    check_discovery -->|yes| try_discovery
    check_discovery -->|no| check_manifest
    try_discovery -->|success| answer
    try_discovery -->|fail| check_manifest
    check_manifest -->|yes| try_manifest
    check_manifest -->|no| cannot
    try_manifest -->|SQL ready| answer
    answer --> suggest
    cannot --> done
    suggest -->|yes| improvements
    suggest -->|no| done
    improvements --> done

Quick Reference

| Priority | Condition | Approach | Tools | |----------|-----------|----------|-------| | 1 | Semantic layer active | Query metrics directly | list_metrics, get_dimensions, query_metrics | | 2 | SL active but minor modifications needed (missing dimension, custom filter, case when, different aggregation) | Modify compiled SQL | get_metrics_compiled_sql, then execute_sql | | 3 | No SL, discovery tools active | Explore models, write SQL | get_mart_models, get_model_details, then show/execute_sql | | 4 | No MCP, in dbt project | Analyze artifacts, write SQL | Read target/manifest.json, target/catalog.json |

Approach 1: Semantic Layer Query

When list_metrics and query_metrics are available:

1. list_metrics - find relevant metric
2. get_dimensions - verify required dimensions exist
3. query_metrics - execute with appropriate filters

If semantic layer can't answer directly (missing dimension, need custom logic) → go to Approach 2.

Approach 2: Modified Compiled SQL

When semantic layer has the metric but needs minor modifications:

• Missing dimension (join + group by)
• Custom filter not available as a dimension
• Case when logic for custom categorization
• Different aggregation than what's defined

1. get_metrics_compiled_sql - get the SQL that would run (returns raw SQL, not Jinja)
2. Modify SQL to add what's needed
3. execute_sql to run the raw SQL
4. Always suggest updating the semantic model if the modification would be reusable

-- Example: Adding sales_rep dimension
WITH base AS (
    -- ... compiled metric logic (already resolved to table names) ...
)
SELECT base.*, reps.sales_rep_name
FROM base
JOIN analytics.dim_sales_reps reps ON base.rep_id = reps.id
GROUP BY ...

-- Example: Custom filter
SELECT * FROM (compiled_metric_sql) WHERE region = 'EMEA'

-- Example: Case when categorization
SELECT
    CASE WHEN amount > 1000 THEN 'large' ELSE 'small' END as deal_size,
    SUM(amount)
FROM (compiled_metric_sql)
GROUP BY 1

Note: The compiled SQL contains resolved table names, not {{ ref() }}. Work with the raw SQL as returned.

Approach 3: Model Discovery

When no semantic layer but get_all_models/get_model_details available:

1. get_mart_models - start with marts, not staging
2. get_model_details for relevant models - understand schema
3. Write SQL using {{ ref('model_name') }}
4. show --inline "..." or execute_sql

Prefer marts over staging - marts have business logic applied.

Approach 4: Manifest/Catalog Analysis

When in a dbt project but no MCP server:

1. Check for target/manifest.json and target/catalog.json
2. Filter before reading - these files can be large

# Find mart models in manifest
jq '.nodes | to_entries | map(select(.key | startswith("model.") and contains("mart"))) | .[].value | {name: .name, schema: .schema, columns: .columns}' target/manifest.json

# Get column info from catalog
jq '.nodes["model.project_name.model_name"].columns' target/catalog.json

3. Write SQL based on discovered schema
4. Explain: "This SQL should run in your warehouse. I cannot execute it without database access."

Suggesting Improvements

When in a dbt project, suggest semantic layer changes after answering (or when cannot answer):

| Gap | Suggestion | |-----|------------| | Metric doesn't exist | "Add a metric definition to your semantic model" | | Dimension missing | "Add dimension_name to the dimensions list in the semantic model" | | No semantic layer | "Consider adding a semantic layer for this data" |

Stay at semantic layer level. Do NOT suggest:

• Database schema changes
• ETL pipeline modifications
• "Ask your data engineering team to..."

Rationalizations to Resist

| You're Thinking... | Reality | |--------------------|---------| | "Semantic layer doesn't support this exact query" | Get compiled SQL and modify it (Approach 2) | | "No MCP tools, can't help" | Check for manifest/catalog locally | | "User needs this quickly, skip the systematic check" | Systematic approach IS the fastest path | | "Just write SQL, it's faster" | Semantic layer exists for a reason - use it first | | "The dimension doesn't exist in the data" | Maybe it exists but not in semantic layer config |

Red Flags - STOP

• Writing SQL without checking if semantic layer can answer
• Saying "cannot answer" without trying all 4 approaches
• Suggesting database-level fixes for semantic layer gaps
• Reading entire manifest.json without filtering
• Using staging models when mart models exist
• Using this to validate model correctness rather than answer business questions

Common Mistakes

| Mistake | Fix | |---------|-----| | Giving up when SL can't answer directly | Get compiled SQL and modify it | | Querying staging models | Use get_mart_models first | | Reading full manifest.json | Use jq to filter | | Suggesting ETL changes | Keep suggestions at semantic layer | | Not checking tool availability | List available tools before choosing approach |