Do databases have different levels of use? That is, can you categorize databases into different levels? If so, discuss the different levels.
Databases can be defined as personal, workgroup, and organizational level databases. Personal databases are used to track information that pertains to one individual. They include personal diaries, planners, and address books. Workgroup level databases are shared by many people typically in the same work group. They require more planning than the personal level databases. The organizational level database is the most complex form of database in terms of both structure and need for administration. It serves the largest number of people of these three and may have a large impact on the organization.
The ability to communication well is important in database design. What are the different groups that are involved in the design of a database and discuss the role of good communication skills in the Database Development Life Cycle (DDLC)?
The four major groups involved in the DDLC are management, users, developers, and computer operations. Good communication skills are necessary to facilitate the sharing of different aspects of the organizational memory residing within the people involved in the DDLC. Being able to clearly describe the database requirements and elaborate on the potential growth of the database are necessary for the formation of a robust database. Developers need to be good at asking questions and listening to responses.
Describe the formation of the data administration function in a matrix organization.
In a matrix organization, each member of the data administration staff belongs to two groups. First, they report to the data administration manager in terms of functions performed, and second, they report to individual project leaders. The data administration manager coordinates the efforts of the staff across the different projects whereas the project leader coordinate the efforts required for the specific project for which the staff member is working. Project teams tend to disband after a project is completed, but the data administration component of the work does not change very frequently.
4.
There are several system level data administration functions. Identify 4 of the 9 outlined in the book and briefly discuss them.
Planning is a critical data administration function that includes the creation of the organization's information architecture.
Development of data standards and policies is a necessary data administration function when more than one person is utilizing a database. This function helps create a common definition for the data elements contained within the database. It is often necessary when different organizational elements use similar words for different things and when there are various ways in which similar data can be stored.
Data integrity is necessary to ensure that the data are accessible to authorized users.
Data conflict resolution is necessary for intervening when data conflicts arise. Data administration may facilitate negotiation and mediate dispute resolution.
Managing the DBMS is important to the system level data administrator though they are not as near to this function as the project level administrator. The system level data administrator is most concerned with performance and characteristics of the DBMS that directly impact the effectiveness of the system's data.
Establishment and maintenance of the data dictionary is critical for providing details of data in the organizational database. The data dictionary should be integrally linked to the DBMS.
Selection of hardware and software is critical in the development of a database. It carries very strategic organizational implications.
Managing external databases is necessary when an organization needs to use data that are contained in an external database.
Internal marketing is critical in data administration to ensure that other people and departments are aware of the potential impact of a DBMS on the organization. Resistance to change brought on by data administration can be lessened by internally marketing the products and services provided by the data administration group.
5.
How does the role of computer operations and data administration differ?
Data administration works with users, management, development staff, and computer operations in the design, implementation and maintenance of the DBMS. The computer operations focus on the physical hardware, procedures, schedules, staff assignments, physical security, and execution of the DBMS programs. It provides the data administration with operational statistics and exception reporting. The computer operations staff may have very little contact with the system users and tend to be technically focused rather than managerially focused. It is concerned with the day-to-day running of the hardware, systems software, and applications and thus focuses on the short-term whereas data administration is more concerned with medium and long-term developments.
6.
Discuss the pros and cons of selecting SQL as your database query language.
SQL is an industry standard and as such allows you to be compatible with a wide range of software. Furthermore, there may be more employees and potential employees who are more familiar with SQL than many of the other database query languages. Yet, it is possible that a proprietary database query language will better serve the specific needs of a company.
7.
What or who is TPC and what does it do?
TPC is the Transaction Processing Council. It performs rigorous benchmarking on a wide range of systems for the MIS community.
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