Product Description

Data Modeling Essentials, Third Edition provides expert tutelage for data modelers, business analysts and systems designers at all levels. Beginning with the basics, this book provides a thorough grounding in theory before guiding the reader through the various stages of applied data modeling and database design. Later chapters address advanced subjects, including business rules, data warehousing, enterprise-wide modeling and data management.

The third edition of this popular book retains its distinctive hallmarks of readability and usefulness, but has been given significantly expanded coverage and reorganized for greater reader comprehension. Authored by two leaders in the field, Data Modeling Essentials, Third Edition is the ideal reference for professionals and students looking for a real-world perspective.

· Thorough coverage of the fundamentals and relevant theory.
· Recognition and support for the creative side of the process.
· Expanded coverage of applied data modeling includes new chapters on logical and physical database design.
· New material describing a powerful technique for model verification.
· Unique coverage of the practical and human aspects of modeling, such as working with business specialists, managing change, and resolving conflict.
· Extensive online component including course notes and other teaching aids (www.mkp.com).

UML diagrams now available! Visit the companion site for more details.

Click here to view a book review by Steve Hoberman!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #129333 in Books
• Published on: 2004-12-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 560 pages

Review
"The perfect balance of theory and practice, giving the reader both the foundation and the tools to deliver high-quality data models."
-Karen Lopez, Principal, InfoAdvisors, Inc.

"The complete guide to data modeling for the reflective practitioner. Students like this book and so do I -- it is clear and accessible without sacrificing rigor."
-Professor Graeme Shanks, School of Business Systems, Monash University, Australia

"A unique, practical and comprehensive guide, providing an invaluable resource to anyone involved in data modeling from the novice to the expert data modeler."
-Len Silverston, author of The Data Model Resource Book, Volumes 1 and 2.

"Includes an extraordinary amount of good, useful, and well articulated information about the field."
-David Hay, President, Essential Strategies, Inc. and author of Data Model Patterns

"Data Modeling Essentials is a fresh look at an old topic...much more accesible and refreshing in its tone and attitude. Simsion's explanations are very clear and his examples easy to follow...This book is useful for both beginners and experienced data modelers who want a new innovative approach to the important task of documenting data requirements." - The Bridge --Barbara A. Carkenord

"The book is extremely well-written. It is humorous at times, full of useful anecdotes, and follows a very logical sequence...In summary, I found Data Modeling Essentials, Third Edition, very useful for data modelers at any level of experience." - DM Review

About the Author
Graeme C. Simsion has over 25 years experience in information systems as a DBA, data modeling consultant, business systems designer, manager, and researcher. He is a regular presenter at industry and academic forums, and is currently a Senior Fellow with the Department of Information Systems at the University of Melbourne.

Graham C. Witt is an independent consultant with over 30 years of experience in assisting enterprises to acquire relevant and effective IT solutions. His clients include major banks and other financial institutions; businesses in the insurance, utilities, transport and telecommunications sectors; and a wide variety of government agencies. A former guest lecturer on Database Systems at University of Melbourne, he is a frequent presenter at international data management conferences.

Customer Reviews

Excellent intro to data modelling
This book gives an excellent introduction to the practical and theoretical aspects of data modelling.
It is written in a style which is suitable for beginners - but also is excellent revision and reference for "old pros".
I keep this book always to hand, and also have recommended it as a text book for a school which is teaching basic data modelling to 12th Grade students.
The whole text is well supported with practical examples. It also doesn't shrink from difficult areas, or discussing contentious issues.
Highly recommended.

It's DAHHH-TA Modelling not DAY-TA!
I am a proud owner the second edition, have leafed through the third edition (before being asked politely if I could be helped the the shop-assistant) and have had the pleasure of seeing both authors present on this topic (and others) at a variety of conferences.

If you want a book on data (that's dahhh-ta) modelling that hasn't crawled completely up its own (or a modelling tool vendor's) rear-end, this is a good purchase. Complex issues are presented clearly and REAL-WORLD issues are actually considered, as opposed to being dismissed simply as not being the way to do things.

I've applied the approaches to model design that are in the 2nd edition 'in the wild' and have found them to be extremely successful. As soon as I can prise the funding from my boss's miserly hand I will be getting my copy of the 3rd edition

Much more than just a new cover
Even if you already own the second edition, you should buy the third (or get your employers to buy it for you). (Putting this first for those people who don't want to read the whole review).

I already owned the second edition - it is the most frequently borrowed book from the set that I keep on my desk. So why did I buy the new edition as soon as I could? Because it is new, and covers new stuff - like sixth normal form (which turned out to be very familiar), and the Object Class Hierarchy, which is the answer to a Corporate/Enterprise Data/Information Architect/Administrator's prayer (job title generator - for each pair, pick one - the titles may vary, but the job seems to stay the same!) After years of developing web pages, spreadsheets and documents, and trying to get people to use them, this structure finally brings it all together.

It is tempting to dip into a book like this to look things up, or to explain something to someone else (it is very handy if someone wants to know what, exactly, you mean by 'fifth normal form' - just hand them the book open at the relevent section). But if you don't read the whole thing, then you risk missing all sorts of useful stuff that gets mentioned in passing (sometimes a passing remark, sometimes getting as much as a whole paragraph). For example, there is a very useful question to elicit important information from senior management, in chapter 10. (Go and read the book to find it!)

I think that the chapter on Enterprise Data Management needs expanding. Preferably into a companion volume ('Enterprise Data Management Essentials' - any chance, gentlemen?) But that is just about my only caveat.

The second edition is still the most frequently borrowed book on my desk - but only because I don't let this one out of my sight, and I have been making people buy their own copies.

If you buy the book and disagree with me - feel free to come and tell me why at any DAMA conference!