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

Silverston c01.tex V2 - 11/21/2008 2:57am Page 1

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 ...