SQL Server Performance Tuning Lab

This project demonstrates practical SQL Server performance tuning techniques using a simulated OLTP workload.

Dataset

• 500,000 synthetic order records
• Randomized customer IDs
• Randomized order dates and order statuses

Topics Demonstrated

• Execution plan analysis
• Logical reads measurement
• Clustered index scan vs index seek
• Key lookup behavior
• Covering indexes using INCLUDE

Performance Results

Stage	Operator	Logical Reads
No Index	Clustered Index Scan	2854
Nonclustered Index	Index Seek + Key Lookup	219
Covering Index	Index Seek	3

Key Learning Points

• Lack of indexes forces full table scans.
• Nonclustered indexes improve lookup performance.
• Key lookups occur when queries require columns not present in the index.
• Covering indexes eliminate key lookups and drastically reduce logical reads.

Tools Used

• SQL Server Developer Edition
• SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

Author

Performance tuning lab created to strengthen SQL Server DBA and Data Engineering fundamentals.