Did you ever try getting Business and IT to agree on the project scope for a new application? Or try getting the Sales & Marketing department to agree on the target audience? Or try bringing new team members up to speed on the hundreds of tables in your data warehouse -- without them dozing off? You can be the hero in each of these and hundreds of other scenarios by building a High-Level Data Model. The High-Level Data Model is a simplified view of our complex environment. It can be a powerful communication tool of the key concepts within our application development projects, business intelligence and master data management programs, and all enterprise and industry initiatives. Learn about the High-Level Data Model and master the techniques for building one, including a comprehensive ten-step approach. Know how to evaluate toolsets for building and storing your models. Practice exercises and walk through a case study to reinforce your modelling skills.

A quick and reliable way to build proven databases for core business functions Industry experts raved about The Data Model Resource Book when it was first published in March 1997 because it provided a simple, cost-effective way to design databases for core business functions. Len Silverston has now revised and updated the hugely successful 1st Edition, while adding a companion volume to take care of more specific requirements of different businesses. This updated volume provides a common set of data models for specific core functions shared by most businesses like human resources management, accounting, and project management. These models are standardized and are easily replicated by developers looking for ways to make corporate database development more efficient and cost effective. This guide is the perfect complement to The Data Model Resource CD-ROM, which is sold separately and provides the powerful design templates discussed in the book in a ready-to-use electronic format. A free demonstration CD-ROM is available with each copy of the print book to allow you to try before you buy the full CD-ROM.

Data Modeling Made Simple with CA ERwin Data Modeler r8 will provide the business or IT professional with a practical working knowledge of data modeling concepts and best practices, and how to apply these principles with CA ERwin Data Modeler r8. You’ll build many CA ERwin data models along the way, mastering first the fundamentals and later in the book the more advanced features of CA ERwin Data Modeler. This book combines real-world experience and best practices with down to earth advice, humor, and even cartoons to help you master the following ten objectives: 1. Understand the basics of data modeling and relational theory, and how to apply these skills using CA ERwin Data Modeler 2. Read a data model of any size and complexity with the same confidence as reading a book 3. Understand the difference between conceptual, logical, and physical models, and how to effectively build these models using CA ERwin’s Data Modelers Design Layer Architecture 4. Apply techniques to turn a logical data model into an efficient physical design and vice-versa through forward and reverse engineering, for both ‘top down’ and bottom-up design 5. Learn how to create reusable domains, naming standards, UDPs, and model templates in CA ERwin Data Modeler to reduce modeling time, improve data quality, and increase enterprise consistency 6. Share data model information with various audiences using model formatting and layout techniques, reporting, and metadata exchange 7. Use the new workspace customization features in CA ERwin Data Modeler r8 to create a workflow suited to your own individual needs 8. Leverage the new Bulk Editing features in CA ERwin Data Modeler r8 for mass metadata updates, as well as import/export with Microsoft Excel 9. Compare and merge model changes using CA ERwin Data Modelers Complete Compare features 10. Optimize the organization and layout of your data models through the use of Subject Areas, Diagrams, Display Themes, and more Section I provides an overview of data modeling: what it is, and why it is needed. The basic features of CA ERwin Data Modeler are introduced with a simple, easy-to-follow example. Section II introduces the basic building blocks of a data model, including entities, relationships, keys, and more. How-to examples using CA ERwin Data Modeler are provided for each of these building blocks, as well as ‘real world’ scenarios for context. Section III covers the creation of reusable standards, and their importance in the organization. From standard data modeling constructs such as domains to CA ERwin-specific features such as UDPs, this section covers step-by-step examples of how to create these standards in CA ERwin Data Modeling, from creation, to template building, to sharing standards with end users through reporting and queries. Section IV discusses conceptual, logical, and physical data models, and provides a comprehensive case study using CA ERwin Data Modeler to show the interrelationships between these models using CA ERwin’s Design Layer Architecture. Real world examples are provided from requirements gathering, to working with business sponsors, to the hands-on nitty-gritty details of building conceptual, logical, and physical data models with CA ERwin Data Modeler r8. From the Foreword by Tom Bilcze, President, CA Technologies Modeling Global User Community: Data Modeling Made Simple with CA ERwin Data Modeler r8 is an excellent resource for the ERwin community. The data modeling community is a diverse collection of data professionals with many perspectives of data modeling and different levels of skill and experience. Steve Hoberman and Donna Burbank guide newbie modelers through the basics of data modeling and CA ERwin r8. Through the liberal use of illustrations, the inexperienced data modeler is graphically walked through the components of data models and how to create them in CA ERwin r8. As an experienced data modeler, Steve and Donna give me a handbook for effectively using the new and enhanced features of this release to bring my art form to life. The book delves into advanced modeling topics and techniques by continuing the liberal use of illustrations. It speaks to the importance of a defined data modeling architecture with soundly modeled data to assist the enterprise in understanding of the value of data. It guides me in applying the finishing touches to my data designs.

Read today's business headlines and you will see that many issues stem from people not having the right data at the right time. Data issues don't always make the front page, yet they exist within every organisation. We need to improve how we manage data -- and the most valuable tool for explaining, vaildating and managing data is a data model. This book provides the business or IT professional with a practical working knowledge of data modelling concepts and best practices. This book is written in a conversational style that encourages you to read it from start to finish and master these ten objectives: Know when a data model is needed and which type of data model is most effective for each situation; Read a data model of any size and complexity with the same confidence as reading a book; Build a fully normalised relational data model, as well as an easily navigatable dimensional model; Apply techniques to turn a logical data model into an efficient physical design; Leverage several templates to make requirements gathering more efficient and accurate; Explain all ten categories of the Data Model Scorecard®; Learn strategies to improve your working relationships with others; Appreciate the impact unstructured data has, and will have, on our data modelling deliverables; Learn basic UML concepts; Put data modelling in context with XML, metadata, and agile development.

This third volume of the best-selling "Data Model Resource Book" series revolutionizes the data modeling discipline by answering the question "How can you save significant time while improving the quality of any type of data modeling effort?" In contrast to the first two volumes, this new volume focuses on the fundamental, underlying patterns that affect over 50 percent of most data modeling efforts. These patterns can be used to considerably reduce modeling time and cost, to jump-start data modeling efforts, as standards and guidelines to increase data model consistency and quality, and as an objective source against which an enterprise can evaluate data models.

Data modeling is one of the most critical phases in the database application development process, but also the phase most likely to fail. A master data modeler must come into any organization, understand its data requirements, and skillfully model the data for applications that most effectively serve organizational needs. Mastering Data Modeling is a complete guide to becoming a successful data modeler. Featuring a requirements-driven approach, this book clearly explains fundamental concepts, introduces a user-oriented data modeling notation, and describes a rigorous, step-by-step process for collecting, modeling, and documenting the kinds of data that users need. Assuming no prior knowledge, Mastering Data Modeling sets forth several fundamental problems of data modeling, such as reconciling the software developer's demand for rigor with the users' equally valid need to speak their own (sometimes vague) natural language. In addition, it describes the good habits that help you respond to these fundamental problems. With these good habits in mind, the book describes the Logical Data Structure (LDS) notation and the process of controlled evolution by which you can create low-cost, user-approved data models that resist premature obsolescence. Also included is an encyclopedic analysis of all data shapes that you will encounter. Most notably, the book describes The Flow, a loosely scripted process by which you and the users gradually but continuously improve an LDS until it faithfully represents the information needs. Essential implementation and technology issues are also covered. You will learn about such vital topics as: The fundamental problems of data modeling The good habits that help a data modeler be effective and economical LDS notation, which encourages these good habits How to read an LDS aloud--in declarative English sentences How to write a well-formed (syntactically correct) LDS How to get users to name the parts of an LDS with words from their own business vocabulary How to visualize data for an LDS A catalog of LDS shapes that recur throughout all data models The Flow--the template for your conversations with users How to document an LDS for users, data modelers, and technologists How to map an LDS to a relational schema How LDS differs from other notations and why "Story interludes" appear throughout the book, illustrating real-world successes of the LDS notation and controlled evolution process. Numerous exercises help you master critical skills. In addition, two detailed, annotated sample conversations with users show you the process of controlled evolution in action.

In this IBM Redbooks publication we describe and demonstrate dimensional data modeling techniques and technology, specifically focused on business intelligence and data warehousing. It is to help the reader understand how to design, maintain, and use a dimensional model for data warehousing that can provide the data access and performance required for business intelligence. Business intelligence is comprised of a data warehousing infrastructure, and a query, analysis, and reporting environment. Here we focus on the data warehousing infrastructure. But only a specific element of it, the data model - which we consider the base building block of the data warehouse. Or, more precisely, the topic of data modeling and its impact on the business and business applications. The objective is not to provide a treatise on dimensional modeling techniques, but to focus at a more practical level. There is technical content for designing and maintaining such an environment, but also business content. For example, we use case studies to demonstrate how dimensional modeling can impact the business intelligence requirements for your business initiatives. In addition, we provide a detailed discussion on the query aspects of BI and data modeling. For example, we discuss query optimization and how you can determine performance of the data model prior to implementation. You need a solid base for your data warehousing infrastructure . . . . a solid data model.