1.4 How Can You Best Use This Book?

Database Modeler
Database modeling is my job. How can this book help me to do my daily work faster?

Import your existing database schema into a Database Model Diagram (see Chapter 14), then use your own models in parallel with trying each of the examples shown in this book.

Business Analyst
I have to use data models as part of my requirements specifications. How can this book help me to be more efficient?

Reverse engineer an existing database schema into an ORM Source Model (see Chapter 8). Use the ORM Source Model to generate suitable semantic reports (see Chapter 9).

Student
I know that database modeling is important. How can this book help me to learn more so that I can get a job as a database engineer?

Follow the book from cover to cover.
Build some conceptual models in ORM and ERM, and use the New Report Wizard to prepare in-depth reports. Forward engineer your models to your preferred database product.
Make changes to the physical database schema and reverse engineer it back into ER and ORM models and run the same reports as you did on the original models.
Compare the before and after reports to see the effects of your changes.

Database Administrator
I'm snowed under with management requests for explanations of our corporate database. How can this book help me?

Reverse engineer a database schema into an ORM Source Model (see Chapter 8).
Run the reports described in Chapter 9 and export them to an .rtf file.
Edit the .rtf file to fit your corporate standard and add appropriate ORM models or model fragments to support the reports (see Chapter 9).
Consider using the Visio Viewer (see Chapter 17) for electronic model distribution.
Ask the managers to confirm or deny the correctness of the ORM objects, facts, and constraints.

Application Development Manager
I have just been promoted from Chief Programmer and I need a better understanding of what my database engineers really do. They seem to take a long time to make simple user - requested changes and my programmers complain that database changes result in lots of unnecessary reprogramming and testing. Can I use this book to improve the effectiveness of my team?

Prepare ORM reports (see Chapter 9) and conduct a semantic review with domain experts (see Part 4). Use the reports described in Chapter 15 to review the potential impact of any changes on data elements (e.g., UML classes) in their application programs.
Look out for duplications in your database schema caused by failure to correctly normalize or by unnoticed homonyms or synonyms.
Review chapter 6 to see how to reuse model fragments to speed new development.
Migrate business rules from application program code into SQL code stored in the database (see Chapters 5, 11, 13).

Program Manager, USAF Sub-Contractor
I have just been appointed as program manager for new B3 bomber that is so stealthy that even I don't know where it is. The DoD insists that we use IDEF1X but I have never been able to fully understand the real meaning of all those lines, blobs, diamonds and boxes. How can I use this book to get a better understanding of what the IDEF1X data models really mean?

Reverse engineer your database schema into a Database Model Diagram (see Chapter 13)
Set the IDEF1X notation options (Chapter 10) and print the IDEF1X schema.
Run the reports described in Chapter 9 and compare them with the IDEF1X schema.