Analyzing the Current Database Chapter 6 Database Design for Mere Mortals

Getting to Know the Current Database To determine where you should go, you need to determine where you are. What types of data does the organization use? How does it use that data? How does it manage and maintain that data? Analyze current database Paper-based Legacy

Conducting Analysis Looking at how data is collected index cards hand-written lists data-entry screens screen capture Looking at how information is presented hand-written documents computer printouts

Method of presenting information On-screen presentations Method of presenting information Report most common method of presenting information hand-written, typed, computer generated transforms data into information Presentation Slide shows Powerpoint / Harvard Graphics Software

Conducting Interviews Determine how organization uses data They provide details about the samples you assembled in reviewing how data is collected and how information is presented They provide information on the way the organization uses its data They are instrumental in defining preliminary field and table structures They help to define future information requirements

Conducting user interviews Focus on 4 issues types of data users are currently using how users are currently using their data data-collection, report, on-screen presentation samples types of information users need in conjunction with their daily work current information requirements additional information requirements future information requirements

Conducting Management Interviews Focus on the following issues types of information managers currently receive identify information management routinely receives determine if those reports in your report samples types of additional information they need to receive determine whether they require some supplemental information currently missing from reports they receive

types of information they foresee themselves needing determine what management foresees itself needing in the future their perception of business’s overall information requirements what generic class of information does the organization need? Is there any data that the organization needs to maintain that has not been previously mentioned

Compiling a Complete List of Fields Preliminary field list review and refine the list of characteristics you have compiled determine whether there are any characteristics in the data data-collection, report, and on-screen presentation samples that need to be added to the preliminary list

Calculated field lists A calculated field stores the result of a mathematical calculation as its value possible names Amount, total, sum, minimum, maximum, count, subtotal, average age, discount amount, customer count must be removed and placed in a separate list they are used in a specific manner later in the design process

Reviewing both lists with users and management review preliminary and calculated lists with users and management determine if any fields have been left out from either list add any missing fields

Case Study Mike’s Bikes