This book is a key resource that explains step by step, the essential skills required to rigorously construct and quality assure Logical Data Models. It also defines the processes required for organisations to successfully adopt them, and so align their systems, operations and strategic direction.
In the last decade, Data Models have made the transition from being ad-hoc and limited in scope, to becoming a central pillar of the Enterprise Data Architectural landscape. Arguably they are now more important than ever. It is only with a full and agreed understanding of the 'What?', 'When?' and 'How?' of an organisation's data structures and flows, that we can, for example; contemplate plugging COTS products together, implement in the Cloud, ingest data into our Data Lakes, or report across the Enterprise system landscape.
No technical background is required to gain a full benefit from the book, it and is relevant for all organisations and data realms. It provides numerous explanations, examples, check lists and templates to provide the reader with a wealth of practical material that will speed their ability to start data modelling effectively and confidently.
Dave Knifton started his working life as an Aeronautical Engineer working in Spin Prevention for a Military Aircraft manufacturer. He then retrained to teach Physics in State Schools. After a number of years as Heads of Physics and Computing, he joined the newly formed Oracle UK. A few years later, he transferred to Oracle Australia to set up and run Oracle Education and then worked as a Principal Oracle Consultant for them. Leaving Oracle, he created and managed firstly an IT Consultancy in Sydney, and then three years later, a sister Consultancy in London. Dave has delivered consultancy across the globe and started various commercial Web ventures. He has also created two centres of Oracle excellence for clients in the UK and Eire. To fulfil a lifelong ambition, in early 2003, he converted a derelict pub in London into a café and managed this, before selling it at the end of the year. Over the years, both for Oracle, its education partners and through dozens of workshops organised through his own Consultancies, he has delivered education covering Business Analysis, Data Modelling and Relational System Design to thousands of students. He has authored two series of books on Data Architecture Fundamentals and Oracle Development Fundamentals. He currently works as a Consultant Enterprise Data Architect and lectures for Verhoef Training in the UK.
