Profiling a problem query with XEvents and Plan Execution Tracking

As DBAs we are responsible for our databases performance. When things go slow, users will look over to us and expect our tuning to be efficient, effective and timely. For those times when a simple look over the execution plan is not enough, Extended Events, engine DMVs and execution plan tracking can provide the level of detail needed to analyze the most granular details about an execution.

In this demo heavy session we will look at example XEvents session to use for troubleshooting slow queries and quickly manipulate them to get results. We will also take a look at the new execution plan lightweight tracking capability introduced in SQL 2016 SP1. Come see why no bad query can hide under the lens of XEvents and plan execution tracking!

Warner is a SQL Server MCM, Data Platform MVP and Principal Consultant at Pythian, a global Canada-based company specialized in DBA services. After working for enterprise customers in Hewlett-Packard’s ITO organization, he transitioned to his current position at Pythian, managing multiple customers and instances in many versions and industries while leading a highly talented team of SQL Server DBAs.