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

Silverston c10.tex V2 - 11/21/2008 3:20am Page 553

CHAPTER

10

Socializing the Patterns

Okay, you now have some pretty powerful patterns to help develop quality

and consistent data models that can be used for many purposes. Some of

these purposes, such as using them for enterprise-wide models in enter-

prise data management, enterprise data warehousing, data governance, and

master data management, deal with enterprise-wide data integration.

1

To be

successful at enterprise-wide data integration, you need to gain buy-in and

get people to move in the same direction. Likewise, if t he patterns are used at

more of a specific application level, you still need to gain buy-in so that these

patterns can be adopted and used on specific projects. The patterns are useful

tools to help you build your data models and data architecture. However,

after you’ve made the decision to understand and use patterns, you still need

to address some important questions about socializing the patterns in your

enterprise; questions such as the following:

What is an appropriate balance between requiring adherence to the pat-

terns and allowing them to be used completely optionally and used if

and when they are helpful to the modeler/designer?

How do you get your enterprise and various p eople in the enterprise

to adopt these patterns? For example, how can you show the value of

these patterns to your senior management or how do you