September 16, 2024

Step-by-Step Guide to Configuring dbt Cloud Job Notifications

Learn how to configure job notifications in dbt Cloud to stay informed about the status of your data transformation jobs. Get alerts via Slack or email for job cancellations, failures, and successes.
Dexter Chu
Head of Marketing

Modern data teams need to be aware of the status of their data transformation jobs and take action quickly. dbt Cloud job notifications can send alerts to Slack or email when a job run is canceled, fails, or succeeds. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the process of configuring job notifications in dbt Cloud.

What Is dbt Cloud?

dbt Cloud is a platform for running and managing dbt projects. It provides a centralized location for managing data assets, automating workflows, and delivering insights to users. With dbt Cloud, you can monitor, debug, and deploy models, as well as automatically update analytics with new data and insights.

What are Common Challenges When Configuring dbt Cloud Job Notifications

Here are some issues to be aware of when configuring job notifications in dbt Cloud:

  • Adding external email addresses: dbt Cloud allows users to add external email addresses and send job notifications to them.
  • Integrating with third-party services: dbt Cloud supports third-party integrations for services like Microsoft Teams or PagerDuty.
  • Configuring notifications for multiple Slack channels: Any account admin can configure job notifications for multiple Slack channels in dbt Cloud, not just the person who created them.

How To Configure Job Notifications in dbt Cloud

Follow these steps to set up notifications in dbt Cloud:

1. Access the Notifications Tab

Go to the Notifications tab in your dbt Cloud project settings.

2. Choose Notification Type

Select either Email or Slack as the notification type.

3. Configure Notification Settings

Configure the notification settings according to your preferences. Only account admins or developer users can configure email notifications. Developer users can set up notifications for themselves, while account admins can set up notifications for themselves and other team members.

4. Set Up Outbound Webhooks (Optional)

You can also create outbound webhooks to send notifications about dbt jobs to other systems. These systems can subscribe to the events to automate workflows or trigger automation flows.

5. Integrate With Secoda

Secoda is a platform that uses machine learning algorithms to automatically index and categorize data assets. Integrating Secoda with dbt Cloud provides a solution for data analysis and delivery of results. It allows users to monitor, debug, and deploy models, as well as automatically update analytics with new data and insights. To connect Secoda to dbt Cloud, you will need to generate a Service Token in your dbt Cloud Account Settings.

What are Best Practices for Job Notifications Configuration in dbt Cloud?

Here are some best practices for configuring job notifications in dbt Cloud:

  • Set up notifications for critical events: Configure notifications for events that require immediate attention, such as job failures or cancellations.
  • Use appropriate notification channels: Choose the most suitable notification channel (Slack or email) for your team's workflow and preferences.
  • Keep notifications concise and informative: Ensure that notifications provide enough information for team members to understand the issue and take appropriate action.
  • Leverage third-party integrations: Make use of third-party integrations like Secoda to enhance your dbt Cloud experience and streamline your data analysis process.

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