My Approach
My purpose is to design a simple Datababase for a Toilet which will be used
to obtain lists of Components, Sub-Assemblies and Assemblies and total costs of Assemblies and Finished Products.
I start by identifying the Requirements.
Then design the Conceptual Data Model,
which is very useful for discussion with business users.
Then I design the Logical Data Model
Finally I create the Physical Model which I use to create the Database.
|
Step 1 - I start with a Photograph of the Toilet
|
Step 2 - Then I find a Drawing of a Standard Toilet
This is based on the American Standard Toilets Parts Diagram
and helps me to identify the separate parts that I use in my Data Model.
|
Step 3 - This helps to identify parts in my simple Toilet
that correspond to parts in the American Standard Toilets Parts Diagram.
|
Step 4 - Then I design a Conceptual Data Model
for the Diagram in Step 3.
I have added the Toilet Lid and Seat because
they don't appear in the American Standards Diagram.
|
Step 5 - Simplify the Conceptual Data Model
I generalise the Model by replacing specific Components by generic Components.
In this case, it means replacing Lid and Seat, Tank and Bowl by 'Assemblies',
and Trip Lever by 'Components'.
|
Step 6 - Create a Realistic Logical Model
|
Step 7 - Finally, I create the Physical Model to generate the Database.
|
Printer-friendly version
