Re: database systems: an environment of roles & players

From: dawn <dawnwolthuis_at_gmail.com>
Date: 16 Apr 2005 08:02:40 -0700
Message-ID: <1113662390.905906.209840@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>

mountain man wrote:
> "mAsterdam" <mAsterdam_at_vrijdag.org> wrote in message
> news:4260d199$0$95207$e4fe514c_at_news.xs4all.nl...
> > mountain man wrote:
> >> "dawn" wrote
> >>>mountain man wrote:
> >>>
> >>>>In the following tabulation we list a number of different
> >>>>roles and players that would normally be associated with
> >>>>the database systems environment at any organisation.
> >>>
> >>>Your list doesn't look like something "associated with the
database
> >>>systems environment at any organisation" but only with those
> >>>organizations employing a relational model -- is that correct?
> >>
> >> No, it was supposed to be for any organisation over
> >> a certain size, at which time they will all have invested
> >> in some DBMS of some form. It need not be related
> >> to the RM.
> > [snip]
> >>>>==================================
> >>>> DATABASE SYSTEMS ROLE-TYPES
> >>>>==================================
> >>>>
> >>>>--------------- Internal to the organisation:
> >>>>I01 - business owner(s)
> >>>>I02 - business executives and managers
> >>>>I03 - general organisation work-groups/end-users
> >>>>I04 - DBA
> >>>
> >>>This role, as typically defined in an organization supporting
> >>>SQL-DBMS's does not exist at companies not supporting SQL-DBMS's.
> >>>
> >>>I would add a "data modeling" role, however, which seems to be
required
> >>>independent of implementation tools.
> >
> > The 'Data administrator' specializes in meaning, consistency,
language
> > used in datamodels. I have seen DA's in SQL and non SQL shops. I
have also
> > seen sites who should need a DA but lacked the cooperative culture
needed
> > to sustain the work.

>
>

> Yes, one expects that this role has the greatest chance
> of exhibiting understanding of data modelling. However
> you never know - because often other parties (roles)
> itemised above also have these skills.

Since you are not indicating "positions" but "roles" it makes sense to me to indicate that there is a role for data modeling, another for data administration, and another for database administration.

> >>>>I05 - IT manager
> >>>>I06 - internal programmers
> >>>>I07 - specialised development teams
> >>>>I08 - Operations & help desk personnel
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>--------------- External to the organisation:
> >
> > Why the Internal/External split?

>
>

> Usually the contractual responsibilities are different
> between internal and external roles.

For each of these roles, an individual playing that role might actually work for the company with the data being addressed or be contracted for either directly, through a contracting firm, or even through an outsourcing firm. I agree that the Internal/External designation being applied to a role isn't helpful. If a particular position is assigned a role, it could also be assigned an employment classification.

> Also, it enables
> a perspective to be placed on the self-independence
> of an organisation on IT resources, and/or in the
> complimentary sense, whether that organisation
> relies heavily on outsourced skills.

It would likely help to get more information on how you intend to use these classifications. What is the purpose of this information?

Cheers! --dawn Received on Sat Apr 16 2005 - 10:02:40 CDT