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