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

Silverston c10.tex V2 - 11/21/2008 3:20am Page 584

584 Chapter 10 ■ Socializing the Patterns

developing trust and understanding motivation. We think that it is important

to evaluate the ROI on your data modeling efforts when you use these

patterns. We highly recommend that an ROI task be added to the ‘close -out’

phase for these efforts. Estimating the ROI has two very significant benefits.

First, having ROI numbers will help describe the benefit of using patterns

to your organization in concrete terms. Senior management often asks ‘‘why

should we invest or time and resources in this?’’ An ROI can help you

answer this question in financial terms. Second, as you gather ROI numbers

for projects where you have used patterns, the ROI numbers should give

an indication of where your costs (and savings) are highest. This can give

you an indication of where the greatest benefits lie and where to focus your

efforts.

We have had many clients use these patterns effectively and receive great

benefits from them. We suggest that you use the patterns on efforts in your

enterprise to create your own proof, and we sincerely hope that this book will

help produce a huge return on investment for you and that these patterns

will be extremely beneficial to you and your organization.

Summary

This chapter suggested four key principles that we believe can help socialize

these patterns and gain buy-in for effective use of the patterns ...