Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Defining a Mission Statement and Mission Objectives
The first phase in the database design process involves defining a
mission statement
and
mission objectives
for the database. The mission statement establishes the purpose of the
database and provides you with a distinct focus for your design work.
Every database is created for a specific purpose, whether it's to solve a particular business
problem, to manage the daily transactions of a business or organization, or to be used as
part of an information system. You identify the purpose of your database and define it
within a
mission statement.
This will help ensure that you develop an appropriate database
structureandthatyoucollectthedatanecessarytosupporttheintendedpurposeofthedata-
base.
You'll also define
mission objectives
in this phase. These are statements that represent the
general tasks your users can perform against the data in the database. You use these ob-
jectives tosupportyourmissionstatement andtohelpyoudetermine variousaspectsofthe
database structure.
Therearetwoseparategroupsofpeoplewhowillbeinvolvedindefiningthemissionstate-
ment and the mission objectives. The first group includes the database developer (you),
the owner or head of the organization, and management personnel, and it is responsible
for defining the mission statement. The second group includes the database developer (you
again), management personnel, and end users, and it will be responsible for defining the
mission objectives.
Analyzing the Current Database
The second phase in the database design process involves analyzing the current database,
if one exists. Depending on your organization, the database will typically be a
legacy data-
base
ora
paper-based database
.
Alegacydatabase(alsoknownasan
inherited
database)is
one that has been in existence and in use for several years. A paper-based database, as you
may already know, is a loose collection of forms, index cards, manila folders, and the like.
Whateverthedatabasetypeorcondition,analyzingitwillyieldvaluableinformationabout
the way your organization is currently using and managing its data. The analysis also in-
volves reviewing the way your organization is currently collecting and presenting the data.
You look at how your organization uses paper to collect data (via forms) and present data
(via reports). If your organization uses some software application program to manage and
manipulate the data in the database, you study the way it collects and presents the data on-
screen. Finally, you take into account how (if at all) your organization is using its data on
the Web, and you review any browser-based applications that work with the database.
