Data Modelling

For an information system to be useful, reliable, adaptable, and economic, it must be based first on sound data modelling, and only secondarily on process analysis. We can make this categorical statement because the structure of data is inherently about truth, whereas process is about technique. The first law of data design is that data structure in an information system need not be complete but it should be accurate. Data modelling is the means to achieve this end.

Likewise a data model helps us visualize data structures to gauge how completely and accurately they reflect our information system problem space. Of course we greatly prefer improving a designbefore any system is built since design changes generally cost less than one-fourth as much as code changes.

As additional data structures are defined over time, an effective data model is easily maintained and adapted because it reflects permanent truths about the underlying subjects rather than temporary techniques for dealing with those subjects. These are the same goals sought by object-oriented techniques in software development!

InfoBlueprint consultants have many years of deep and practical information Modelling experience, and we can assist you to build lasting models and to apply proven and effective information Modelling techniques. Of course, there is no point in building great models without actually using them, so InfoBlueprint can also help you to develop systems and processes to ensure effective application of the models in both a business and an IT sense, as well as to implement an effective “Data Model Management Process” allowing for well managed change control and communication around an organisation’s data models.

Many organisations are seeing the benefits of representing their business via an Enterprise Information Model – let InfoBlueprint help you to achieve this too.