The same is true for the process of completing a data model. There is the ‘data model’ and then there is ‘data modeling’. Data modeling is the process of building a data model. More specifically, data modeling is the set of techniques and activities that enable us to capture the structure and operations of an organization, as well as the proposed information solution that will enable the organization to achieve its goals. The process requires many skills, such as listening ability, courage to ask lots of questions, and even patience. The data modeler needs to speak with individuals from many different departments with varying levels of technical and business experiences and skills. The data modeler not only needs to understand these individuals’ views of their world, but also be able to demonstrate this understanding through feedback during the conversation and also as a final artifact in the form of the model. At the beginning of a project, it is rare that you, as the data modeler, are handed all of the information you need to complete the model. It will require reading through lots of documentation and asking hundreds of business questions.

Reinforce your own understanding of what a data model is by explaining the concept of a data model to someone completely outside the world of IT, such as to a neighbor, family member or friend.

Did they get it?

Refer to the Appendix to see how I explain the concept of a data model.

Key Points

·         Wayfinding encompasses all of the techniques and tools used by people and animals to find their way from one site to another.

·         A data model is a wayfinding tool, for both business and IT professionals, which uses a set of symbols and text to precisely explain a subset of real information to improve communication within the organization, and thereby lead to a more flexible and stable application environment.

·         Data models come in many different forms. The most common and globally-understood form is a spreadsheet.

·         The data model format that is the subject of this book is similar to the spreadsheet, yet is type-based, contains interactions, and is extensible.

·         Data modeling is the process of building the data model. This process requires many non-technical skills, such as listening ability, courage to ask lots of questions, and patience.

 

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