database project for RELIABLE PAPERS

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BUS 145 – Database Project – Part 1

Conceptual Design

The conceptual design (part 1 of the project) consists of a four part report to:

1. state the purpose of the database

2. provide a model of the logical structure of the database (an ERD)

3. document the entities and attributes in a proposed table map

4. document the properties of each of the data elements in a Data Dictionary

You will not be using Microsoft Access for this stage of the project. This part of

the project will be completed in Word.

Project Suggestions

To manage the scope of the project, limit your primary entities to between four

and six.

To simplify the project, your database will be based on a service-related industry.

Please choose a business from one of the categories listed below. Your instructor

will indicate which, if any, projects are unavailable.

1. Service Provider – e.g. Clinic (Medical, Dental, Vet); Salon (Hair, Beauty);

Landscaping Service, Temp Agency, Catering, B&B …

2. Rental Business – e.g. Cars, Bikes, Kayaks, Tools, Scooters, Facilities…

3. Training and Education – e.g. Driver Training, Computer Training, Dance

School, Music Lessons…

4. Other – If you have another project you would like to work on, instructor

permission will be required.

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Data and Process Modeling Report

The Database and Process Modelling report will document the architecture of the

proposed database. Use the headings below to structure your design report and

create the report in MS Word. Add subheadings for each of the bulleted points to

make sure you address all of the assignment requirements.

1. Statement of Purpose

 Project Name: Specify the nature of the business.

 Information Requirements:

i. Provide a bulleted list of at least 10 reports that you want to

be able to produce or questions that you want the database

to be able to answer.

ii. List ten basic business processes that your database will

support (such as adding new customers, scheduling

appointments, etc.).

2. Data Model

 Entities: List the primary entities in your database and document

the relationships between them.

 ERD: Create an Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD) with all

relationships normalized (i.e. eliminate any many to many

relationships with join tables, and make sure that all relationships

are 1:M or M:1). Make sure that your ERD has been approved

before continuing. Do not include field names in your ERD.

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3. Table Map

 Create a separate Table Map that includes the Primary and Foreign

Keys for each table and the data elements (fields) that belong to

each table. Make sure that each table is properly normalized (i.e.

there are no repeating groups, each field is atomized and depends

only on the primary key of the table, there are no functional

dependencies, and all derived (calculated) fields are removed from

the tables (e.g. Date of Birth is a valid field while Age is a calculated

field based on the Date of Birth field and would not be included in a

table)).

4. Data Dictionary

 Create a separate Data Dictionary documenting the fields and field properties for each of the tables. Make sure that the field names are fully qualified. An example format is shown below:

Table Name: tblCustomers

Field Name Field Type Size Properties

CustomerID Autonumber Primary Key

CustomerLastName Text 15 Caption: Last Name Input Mask: >L<?????????????? Index: Yes (Duplicates Allowed)

CustomerSex Text 1 Validation Rule: ="M" or "F" Validation Text: Please enter “M” or “F” Format: >

If any field properties need to be clarified, please provide a brief written

explanation (e.g. if you chose to use something other than an AutoNumber field

for your Primary Key fields, you should attach a brief explanation as to why).

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Submission Instructions

1. Print the finished Database Design Report. Staple the mark sheet on top

and hand in to your instructor at the beginning of class on the assignment

due date. The project will not be graded unless a printed copy of the

report is submitted to your instructor by the due date.

2. Rename your Database Design Report document file with your

LastNameFirstNameDesignReport (e.g. EllisonLarryDesignReport). Upload

your Word document file to your instructor’s inbox on \\labdatashares OR

to the drop box in D2L as specified by your instructor.

Mark Sheet for Database Design

Name: _______________________________________________________

Design Report:

Project Name .......................................................................................................... /2

List of Reports ...................................................................................................... /10

List of Business Processes .................................................................................... /10

ERD:

Entities and Relationships documented ................................................................ /3

Entity Relationship Diagram ................................................................................... /5

Table Map:

Table Map ......................................................................................................... /10

Data Dictionaries:

Data Dictionaries ................................................................................................. /10

TOTAL ................................................................................................. /50