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

Silverston c01.tex V2 - 11/21/2008 2:57am Page 12

12 Chapter 1 ■ Introduction

NOTE

Chapter 9 illustrates many examples of how you c an use the patterns in a

plug-and-play mode for different types of data modeling efforts.

Instead of having two different data models for two different audiences,

another possible solution is to incorporate both specific and generalized

patterns into the same model. (This solution is shown in Chapter 9, in the

discussion of using the patterns to develop an enterprise data model.) Often,

both a specific and a generalized pattern can be used in the same data model

for the same data requirement. Then views can be created to show the specific

aspects and generalized aspects of the model. For example, if you had a need to

model the roles of various parties in a project, you could develop a model of the

specific relationships of various roles to the project, namely, sponsors, workers,

project manager, and project lead, in order to validate requirements. Then you

could include in the model additional entities showing an architectural view

of the model where a work effort (which could be a project, activity, task, or

any other unit of work) may have any number of parties with any number of

roles associated with it.

It is important to keep in mind that this type of ‘‘hybrid’’ modeling solution

can be used for any of the patterns in this book. In Chapter 3, we have

shown an example ...