Database Reference
In-Depth Information
DB
system
scope
Imple-
mentation
strategy
Time
cons-
traints
Business
model
Goals
and
objectives
BUSINESS
OBJECTS
RELATION-
SHIPS
Systems
model
FILES
BLOCKS
Techno-
logical
model
DATA
DISTRI-
BUTION
Expec-
tations
RECORDS
Current
require-
ments
Future
require-
ments
Justi-
fication
Physical
model
Figure 4-2
Framework for database development.
•
Scope of the proposed database system
•
Goals and objectives
•
Values and expectations
•
Justification
•
Key business objects for the organization
•
Core business and primary processes
•
Supporting data elements
•
Implementation strategy
•
Tentative schedule
•
Project authorization
Design and Development
How does a manufacturing company produce a product? The company initiates the
process, performs the design, and gets the blueprints ready; then it develops and
transforms the design into a finished product. Although it appears simplistic, design
and development make up the processes for the manufacture of a product. This
metaphor may be extended to the establishment of a database system. After the ini-
tiation phase, design of the database system takes place; then the design forms the
basis for the development of the system. Figure 4-3 provides an overview of data-
base design and development.
To design the database system, you have to gather the information requirements
to support the various processes that make the core business of the organization
happen. What are the requirements? What should the data residing in the organi-
zation's database be about? Remember that this is a data-oriented approach and
the primary focus is on the data requirements. Ascertain the business entities or
things of interest to the organization. Is your organization a banking institution? If
so, some of its business entities are customer, checking account, savings account, and
Search WWH ::
Custom Search