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

Silverston c09.tex V2 - 11/21/2008 3:16am Page 548

548 Chapter 9 ■ Using the Patterns

choosing to use generalized patterns versus specific patterns. There are some

other considerations that we thought were worth mentioning regarding using

generalized patterns, such as

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Generalized structures move the change process from the typical ‘data

architect to DBA to developer to tester’ process to a data change process,

and often organizations have no formal process for data change like they

have for application change. This can be addressed with organizational

commitment to flexible data modeling structures. In fact, we believe that

using generalized patterns is an important step in empowering users

to take control of their data. The typical data architect-DBA-developer-

tester process is often too cumbersome and slow for users’ needs. Gen-

eralized patterns force a paradigm shift away from this traditional devel-

opment process.

Data stewardship is important when using generalized data patterns

because new instances can have a large effect on the model. For example,

there may be new instances that could result in new roles, classifications,

statuses, contact mechanism types, or business rules. Data stewardship

is about assigning parties to be accountable for the data, and generalized

models require more management of the instances in the data model. An

advantage to using more generalized patterns in data ...