Project Management and Database Development

Abstract

Why do we need database technology in today's business world? The goal of this paper is to effectively answer that question and many others about database technology and explain the steps toward developing a useful application. The business world is finding itself bogged down under mountains of data which need to be properly managed. Database software is the perfect data manager. The data can be stored in a structured manner. To a word processing or spreadsheet application, a file is one document. However, to a database program, a file is divided into individual units. Thus, the information can be manipulated and used much more effectively. As John Hulsebus aptly noted, "A DBMS (Data Base Management System) allows people to turn data into information . In the network world, another advantage of using database technology is that information can reside in one location and be shared by many users from many different applications at the same time. Another reason for storing data in this manner is that it keeps the data centralized and consistent. Since all updates are made to the same data tables, all users are accessing the most current information. The real reward is that the data only has to be entered once by the first person who receives it. After that, the data is available to those "down-the-pipeline" who need it. This data isn't rekeyed by a number of people. It is, instead, made available from the source and then shared. For those who require up-to-date information at all times, the database will eliminate the following scenario: A worker writes out a request for a new computer. The information is sent to a secretary who throws it on a pile of things to do. Later that week the secretary types up a formal request and submits it to the supervisor for approval. After another lengthy delay, the supervisor approves the purchase and sends the approval back to the secretary who then types up a request to be sent to the distributor. As you can see, this is a very tedious process but with a database system, all of this information could be entered and directly accessed through the network. The paper trail would be eliminated and replaced with electronically stored information. The request could be processed in a much quicker fashion. This almost sounds to good to be true. Can a piece of software really make this much of a difference? The answer is yes if it is properly used. However, databases need to be understood before they are written or implemented. Over the next several chapters, I will discuss the two major drivers behind successful database implementation: project management and efficient database development.