To evaluate the performance benefits of the data repartitioning. For example, you can repartition the data and register the repartitioned data files to a new table. You can run a query on the original archived table and then run the same query on the new table. Use the query statistics logs to compare the statistics of both queries. If the repartitioned data files increase query performance, you can drop the original archived table. Or, you can repartition the data files and register the data files to the original archived table.

To perform temporary analysis of the archived data. For example, you temporarily run a series of queries on the archived data. Users do not regularly run the queries. You repartition the data to improve query access and then drop the table and repartitioned data files when you finish the analysis.

To preserve the immutability of the original archived data. For example, you do not want to change the original archived data.