Is conceptual (not just data) modeling dead?
The idea of building a conceptual model during the early phases of a project was once a critical deliverable in an IT project plan. As we all know, IT development methods have changed over the years...
View ArticleThe 5 W’s and the conceptual data model
Ask three data modelers for their definition of a conceptual data model. You will get three answers that on the surface seem similar. Ask them to dive deeper into their understanding of conceptual...
View ArticleSix things to remember when modeling for a business audience
This past week I put the finishing touches on my presentation for the 2014 Data Modeling Zone conference in Portland. My session talks about what the data architect can do to make their data models...
View ArticleWhat about the words on an ERD
When asked the question, “What is an Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD)?” the typical response I hear is “It’s a graphical representation of a database.” Methodologists and data folk have generalized...
View ArticleQuality data starts with quality models
I am married to another man. This sometimes poses dilemmas for many businesses. I often receive mail addressed to “Mr. and Mrs. Tom Bilcze” or “You and your Wife”. Even worse, it’s a mishmash of both...
View ArticleHow to improve your data modeling
Several weeks back I blogged about things gone bad in database design. It has gotten considerable discussion on LinkedIn. A common theme emerged that is not a surprise. Many data architects find...
View ArticleMy explanation of data modeling in less than 3 minutes
Data architects need an elevator pitch in their back pocket on the who, what, where, when, where and how of data architects and data modeling. We work in a discipline that many people do not...
View ArticleThe 5 in 15 Data Model Challenge
I have an interesting challenge for my readers today. You have fifteen minutes to explain a data model to a non-data architect. You must choose five key points about data models and explain each of...
View ArticleShaking the data modeling tree
I have this image in my mind of a tropical island with a lone palm tree. A tribe of data modelers call the tree home. Occasionally, an app developer finds himself on the island looking for help. The...
View ArticleIf you can see it, you can solve it
Sometime during the past month, I read or heard “If you can see it, you can solve it”. I have not been able to get that little phrase out of my mind. Maybe that is because my career focuses on the...
View ArticleTom’s top 10 ERD peeves
An outsider’s view of data modeling is the Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD). It is the data architect’s deliverable that finds itself on team member walls. This graphical presentation is the snapshot...
View ArticleHard data modeling
Many years ago when I began blogging about data modeling I thought my focus would be on helping fellow IT professionals be a better data modeler. There was a void in the blogosphere of data architects...
View ArticleData modeling: what’s old is new again
Data modeling is old. It is actually prehistoric in Information Technology terms. People are quick to label pre-internet technologies as dinosaurs and relegate them to the graveyard. Data modeling and...
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