1. Analyzing the Current Database
Chapter 6
Database Design for Mere Mortals

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Case Study
Mike’s Bikes