Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
organization's level of information management. In the end, it again is about
the partnership — IT needs to manage where and how to store the data, and
business needs to be able to understand what is available, and what it means
to effectively use the data.
What Data Do You Have?
The organization may already have a sound understanding of the current data
environment and it may already be diagrammed. If not, then a decision must
be made about the level of detail that is currently needed. Perhaps a quick
overview, such as what would be shared with a new employee, is all that is
necessary. If there is a need to understand all of the data interfaces between
operational systems, this will take longer. The goal is to get a fundamental
understanding of the primary data the company already has. Taking the
quicker route, a simple diagram can be documented. If this is not formally
documented, it has likely been drawn repeatedly on white boards during
meetings. A simple example is shown in Figure 8-7.
Business Applications
Reports & Analysis
Order
Entry
Oper-
ational
Reports
Customer
Service
Oper-
ational
Reports
Oper-
ational
Reports
Scheduling &
Logistics
Customer
Marketing
Manage-
ment
Reports
Manage-
ment
Reports
Manage-
ment
Reports
Inventory
Control
Call Center
Human
Resources
Financial
Analysis
Product
Shipments
General Ledger &
Financials
Figure 8-7
Current data environment
Each of the major databases, usually associated with the main operational
systems of the organization, is shown. Other types of data, including spread-
sheets and departmental databases, should also be included. Do not limit the
data to that which is managed and backed up by systems staff members.
