Kimball vs Inmon - ROI

In general, Kimball approach (bottom up with conformed dimensions) provides faster ROI compared to the Inmon approach (Top down). Using Kimball approach business users get to start using BI solutions earlier compared to Top Down approach. They are able to provide feedback earlier and hence the solution gets improved and enhanced quicker compared to Top Down approach. In Kimball approach, as the most important subject is usually modeled and built first, once the users of first subject area are happy with the results it already sends positive message to next set of users/departments. On the other hand several problems ( people move, team changes, projects getting scrapped, lack of ownership, etc.) may come up in Top Down approach which takes year/s before end users can start using the solution.

Note that exceptions are always there.