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

Silverston c06.tex V2 - 11/21/2008 3:09am Page 299

Table 6-9 (Continued)

PATTERN DESCRIPTION WHEN TO USE WHEN NOT TO USE PROS CONS

Status

Category

Pattern

This pattern

classifies the

STATUS TYPE(s)

in a very flexible

manner by

applying the Level

3 Classification

Pattern from

Chapter 5 to the

STATUS TYPE

entity in this

chapter. This

pattern can be

used to enhance

the Level 2, 3,

and 4 Patterns in

this chapter and

will provide

comprehensive

management of

the different

status categories.

When an enterprise

needs to capture the

classification of the

different status types in

a very flexible fashion.

This will help in the

management of the

status categories.

When one needs to

enhance the level 2, 3,

and 4 status patterns

with status type

classifications.

Formasterdata

management efforts

where categorization of

statuses is important.

When an enterprise has a

very limited view and

tactical view of status

category data. This pattern

would be overkill for those

enterprises.

This pattern is very

flexible and allows

any number of status

type categorizations.

It helps support the

reporting and

management of

status types and

status categories.

It provides a very

comprehensive way

to manage statuses

as an

enterprise-wide

level.

May be too complex for

some enterprises that are

either not as sophisticated

in data modeling or that

simply do not have the

need to be this

comprehensive about

categorizing status types.

The different status types

and status type categories

must