Test COG-400: IBM Cognos 8 Planning Application Consultant

Note: This test will be withdrawn on Mar 31 2011.
The replacement test is: (COG-700) IBM Cognos 10 Planning Application Consultant

The Cognos 8 Planning Application Consultant exam covers key concepts, technologies, and functionality of the Cognos products. In preparation for an exam, we recommend a combination of training and hands-on experience, and a detailed review of product documentation.

Libraries and Common Objects (2%)

1. Create and manage libraries

Create D-Lists and D-Cubes (21%)

1. Set practices for creating D-Lists
2. Create D-List items from key sources
3. Create timescale D-Lists
4. Create D-Cubes
5. Change the perspective of a D-Cube
6. Saved selections
7. Enter data
8. Control the display of D-Cube data
9. Control the display of Contributor data
10. Identify D-list sizing best practices

Load and Distribute Data using D-Links (14%)

1. Create a D-Link
2. Pair source and target dimensions
3. Create A-Tables
4. Determine how data will populate target
5. Define import data using a File Map
6. Use a D-Cube to allocate data
7. Use D-Links
8. Import Data from an external database

Enhance D-Lists and D-Cubes (9%)

1. Create calculations manually
2. Format D-List items
3. Use Calc Options on D-Lists
4. Restructure D-Cubes

Built-in Functions (BiFs) (2%)

1. Explain purpose of Built-in Functions

Automate Processes in Analyst (4%)

1. Update D-List items
2. Create and maintain Analyst macros

Object Maintenance and Administration (1%)

1. Maintain objects using Library Functions

Setup the Contributor Console (4%)

1. Setup the Contributor Console
2. Add job servers and clusters

Create Contributor Applications (11%)

1. Identify Analyst library considerations
2. Create and configure an application

=Use cut-down models
3. Import and manage e.Lists
4. Configure settings for attached documents
5. Link to and deploy applications
6. Validate data in Contributor applications

Workflow and Web Activities (4%)

1. Specify web grid behavior
2. Use the Web grid

Saved Selections and Access Tables (6%)

1. Create and manage saved selections
2. Create and manage access tables

Administer Contributor Applications (4%)

1. Understand the implications of GTP and reconcile
2. Manage jobs

Security in Contributor (4%)

1. Assign administrative access rights in the console
2. Understand the Cognos 8 Security Model

Data Management in Contributor (8%)

1. Create Admin, System, and Local links
2. Import data using the console
3. Publish data

Automate Processes in Contributor (2%)

1. Create and utilize a macro

Common Extensions (1%)

1. Describe the use of the Generate Framework Manager Model extension

Translate an application (1%)

1. Describe translation functionality

Cognos 8 functionality (2%)

1. Describe the benefits of using Event Studio in conjunction with Planning
2. Describe the benefits of having the Framework Manager functionality