Database Design Methodology

[tleish]

Does anyone know of any good DB Design methodologies?

I was talking with a DB admin recently who told me that his developers were tired of learning a new db schema every time they started a new web application that involved a database. He said he was trying to somehow come up with a "universal" db schema that would work on almost all projects with very little modifications in the schema. All the changes would be in the data only.

I thought this was a good idea. Any ideas or suggestions? - tleish

 

[RickCole]

I think it's a great idea but as it's the business processes that determine the DB structure I don't think it's really achievable.

Business processes are always developing and changing.

Would like to be proved wrong though.

Rick.

 

[aalmeida]

I think this kind of project would require a lot more of documentation to be produced what could just make it not practical AL Almeida
NT/DB Admin
"May all those that come behind us, find us faithfull"

 

[AshleyRickards]

In my envrionment we looked all possible variables and created a template with the all tables and fields. When a new project comes along we enable only what is needed for that specifiic project.
Whenever we run into a new option we add it to the template.
But as Rick and Al point out it requires documentation and changes frequently. Ashley L Rickards
SQL DBA

 

[tleish]

I was just wondering what the db world thought of this.

I came across these articles by Len Silverston who has written books and gives seminars on creating Universal Database Models.

Using "Universal Data Models" to Jump-Start Your Data Modeling Effort
by Len Silverston & Kent Graziano

http://www.univdata.com/article.htm

IS YOUR ORGANIZATION TOO UNIQUE TO USE UNIVERSAL DATA MODELS?
Len Silverston, Universal Data Solutions, LLC

http://www.univdata.com/article2.htm

His books even have examples of Universal ones he's created for:
- Financial services
- Professional services
- E-commerce
- Manufacturing
- Health care
- Insurance
- Travel
- Telecommunications

The Data Model Resource Book: A Library of Universal Data Models for All
Enterprises, Revised Edition, Volume 1

http://www.wiley.com/legacy/compbooks/catalog/38023-7.htm

The Data Model Resource Book: A Library of Universal Data Models by Industry
Types, Revised Edition, Volume 2

http://www.wiley.com/legacy/compbooks/catalog/35348-5.htm

I really think this is possible and would really be a boost in development time. - tleish