Chapter 8. Planning Databases


The time you spend in this little chapter with nothing more than a notepad and your thoughts will save you hours of frustration later at the keyboard. Here's the secret to successful databases: they're not really about data, they're about people and how they work together. It might seem odd, but the data itself shouldn't dictate the database design. Instead, let an organization's processes among its people and groups drive the design.

Start with basic questions: Where does the group's information come from? Who knows what? Who needs what? Why is it done that way? And, most importantly, what does the group wish the database could do? Obviously, a mere database cannot solve every problemand you don't have forever to finish the job. But by taking time upfront to talk to users about their needs, the organization's structure, and its information flow, you'll build a better database.

Even organizations that don't already have a database still have information flows, whether it's hidden in paper memos, electronic spreadsheets, or the brains of those folks you find in every office who seem to know where everything's kept. Now, let's start small and keep it simple. So, step away from the computer. That's right...nice and slow...



FileMaker Pro 8 for Windows and Macintosh(c) Visual Quickstart Guide
FileMaker Pro 8 for Windows & Macintosh
ISBN: 032139674X
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2006
Pages: 184
Authors: Nolan Hester

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