Staged Database Design Approach-Steps of Database Design Approach

The staged database design approach is another way to design an information system. It is a top-down approach that begins by analyzing the general requirements of the organization. As the process continues, these problems are analyzed in more detail.

Steps of Database Design Approach

The steps in this approach are as follows:

1. Analyze User Environment

The first step to designing a database is understanding the current user environment. This means taking a close look at the current system and its output. The designer should also determine things like:

2. Develop a Logical Data Model

After analyzing the user environment, the designer develops a logical data model for the organization. The data model consists of all entities, attributes, and relationships. The designer also determines the following things:

• Different types of applications and transactions.
• Types of database access
• Volume of transactions
• Volume of data
• Frequency of database access
• Budgetary restrictions
• Performance requirements

3. Choose a DBMS

In this step, the particular database management system is chosen based on the logical data model. In the logical data model, all the requirements and constraints must be satisfied by the selected database.

4. Map Logical Model to DBMS

The designer maps the logical data model to the available data structure of the selected database management system.

5. Develop a Physical Model

The designer creates the exact layout of data according to the facilities of selected DBMS and available resources of software and hardware.

6. Evaluate Physical Model

The designer’s job is a lot like quality control. They have to test the product and make sure it meets all the requirements before it goes out to customers. Sometimes, the designer has to code a specific section of the database to check if everything works correctly from the user’s perspective.

7. Perform Tuning

To improve the performance of the database tuning is performed. If any modification is required then modifications are made in this step.

8. Implement a Physical Model

The designer implements the physical model if the evaluation is satisfying. The database becomes functional.

The above figure shows that different steps can be repeated at different stages of the development process. For example, in the development of the logical model, the database designer can review the user environment and make changes to the selection of DBMS. This way, when it comes time to map the logical model to the physical model, there won’t be any nasty surprises.

Similarly, If an error occurs during the product development process, the manager may need to review all previous steps to make the necessary changes. This can be time-consuming and frustrating, but it is often necessary to ensure that the final product is of the highest quality.