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

Silverston c09.tex V2 - 11/21/2008 3:16am Page 471

The Scenario 471

NOTE

In this chapter we don’t delve into the details of each pattern because we

have covered this material in other chapters. The purpose is to show how we

integrate the patterns together to develop models that fit a purpose and why we

choose to use certain levels of patterns in different situations.

The Scenario

To illustrate the thought process in choosing which level of pattern to use,

we have created a scenario that evolves with the changing needs of each type

of model. Our example shows what patterns to use and how we would use

these patterns for various types of efforts, for example, for a prototype, an

application, an enterprise data model, a data warehouse relational model, a

data warehouse star schema, and a master data management model. In each

of these sections we explain our approach, why we chose to use one level of

pattern over another, and why we mixed different levels of patterns.

Imagine a large equipment distributor for the petrochemical industry based

in the Emirate of Dubai called Sands Distribution. This firm has grown

significantly over the past few years with the increase in oil revenues and

the need for its equipment in the Middle East and all over the world. Its

main data issues stem from its growth. It has acquired smaller distribution

firms in many different countries that have data of their own. The enterprise ...