Table partitioning isn’t a silver bullet for large tables. Used well, it improves data management and maintenance; used poorly, it leads to unpredictable performance and difficult troubleshooting.

In this two-part, demo-driven deep dive, we build a clear understanding of how table partitioning works in SQL Server and how design and operational choices affect performance. The sessions move from partitioning mechanics and elimination to real-world design, indexing, and troubleshooting, giving attendees a practical mental model they can apply confidently in production.
Part 2 builds on the mechanics covered in Part 1 and focuses on real-world design and operational challenges. We examine partition key selection, aligned and non-aligned indexes, and how these choices affect both query performance and maintenance.

Using practical scenarios, we explore common performance problems in partitioned tables, why “partitioning made it slower,” and how to troubleshoot these issues effectively. The session closes with a practical checklist for diagnosing and fixing partitioned-table performance problems in production systems.