Chapter 2. Good Habits

To become a master data modeler, you must commit yourself to good data-modeling work habits. Here are several:

  1. Employ the users’ language and vocabulary.

  2. Be rigorous

  3. Don’t rely on the opinion of a single expert; ask several.

  4. Ask first about data, not processing.

  5. Master the shapes of data.

  6. Choose a notation that helps you realize habits 1-5.

These habits are worth mastering because you can apply them to virtually any system development effort.

Employ the Users’ Language and Vocabulary

Together, you and the users must articulate the system requirements. If you talk to users in your idiosyncratic, high-tech language, you will achieve little. You must converse with them in their language.

During your conversations with ...

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