The Data Model Resource Book, Volume 3: Universal Patterns for Data Modeling

Chapter 1. Introduction

Why Is There a Need for This Book?

Based upon our consulting experiences, many companies still develop their data models with very little outside reference materials. There is a large cost associated with either hiring experienced consultants or using internal staff to develop this critical component of the system design. Often there is a need for more objective reference material that an organization can use to test its data models and database designs or from which it can seek alternate options for data models or database structures. This book substantially extends the tools offered in the current Data Model Resource Book, Volumes 1 and 2 (Wiley, 2001), providing a comprehensive guide for companies to develop data models with higher quality in a shorter amount of time.

Volume 1 of The Data Model Resource Book answered the question "Where can we find a book showing a standard way to model common data model structures?" It provides an extensive library of template data models for common data areas such as people and organizations, products, orders, shipments, invoicing, accounting and budgeting, human resources, and so on. It also provides template models for data warehouse models for sales analysis, human resources, and inventory management analysis among many others.

Volume 2 of The Data Model Resource Book continued in the same vein as Volume 1 by extending these template data models and by adding additional data model constructs applicable specifically for ...