Database Design Challenges

What is the most important component of a database? Is it the design standards, the processing speed, or the information requirements? The fact is that for a database to be effective, it must have a balance between all three of these areas. However, striking a balance can often be a challenging process that requires design compromises.

For this Discussion, you analyze the challenges of balancing design standards, processing speed, and information requirements when designing a database.

To prepare:

• Review the information in section 4.3 in the course text,  Coronel, C. & Morris, S. (2015). Database systems: Design, implementation, and management (11th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.

• Reflect on the three areas of database design: design standards, processing speed, and information requirements.

• Consider how you would weigh the importance of each of the three areas in designing a database.

   

  Post on Tuesday 06/21/16 a minimum of 550 words in APA format with 3 references addressing the level one headings below:

  1) An explanation of the challenges of balancing design standards, processing speed, and information requirements when designing a database.

  2) Identify the area(s) in which you would be least willing to compromise and explain factors that might influence your decision.

  3) Explain the importance of having a balanced database design.

   

Readings

• Coronel, C. & Morris, S. (2015). Database systems: Design, implementation, and management (11th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.

  • Chapter 3, “The Relational Database Model” (pp. 70–113)
    
    When developing relational databases, tables are used to group related entities. This chapter explores the details behind table creation and utilization.

  • Chapter 4, “The Entity Relationship Model (ERM)” (pp. 115–160)
    
    This chapter describes ER modeling and the benefits it has for its end users. When designing a database, the designer has to consider the relationship between the design plans and the end users’ needs while also ensuring connections between data that will yield accurate information.

• Cox, J. & Lambert, J. (2013). Step by step: Microsoft Access 2013. Richland, WA: Microsoft Press.

  • Chapter 1, “Explore Mircosoft Access 2013” (pp. 3–52)
    
    This chapter provides an overview of the skills and capabilities of Microsoft Access 2013.  It reviews the concepts of database design and introduces the main components of a database; tables, forms, queries, and reports.

There are a wide variety of online tutorials available to assist with using Microsoft Access. Below are several you might consider, as needed:

• Goodwill Community Foundation, Inc. (2010). Access 2010. Retrieved from http://www.gcflearnfree.org/office
  
  This free resource provides a series of lessons, interactives, and video tutorials to assist in learning how to use Access 2010.

• Pollock, A. (2010). Access 2010 essential training. Retrieved from http://www.lynda.com/Access-2010-tutorials/essential-training/62642-2.html
  
  This series of videos provides detailed instruction on all aspects of Microsoft Access 2010 use. This resource requires a paid subscription.