Storing Performance Information: Conceptual Database Design

The database needs a structure definition of the information to be able to store data and to recognize the content and to retrieve information. The first level of abstraction in developing a decision supporting database system is the conceptual design. Conceptual database design is the process of building a model of the performance and operational information used in the planing, monitoring and evaluation of programs and services. It is a process of constructing a model of the information, independent of all physical considerations. Data model is built using the information in users' requirements specification. A good knowledge of the conceptual design allows the data analyst and data modeller (or data manager) to model the right database right.

We will identify the boundaries of the performance information system and how it interfaces with other parts of the organizational information system.

We will define the objectives of the particular database. On that bases we will try to find ways to model your database that is more or less suitable to the purpose for which the database is constructed. We will design database model that will support performance and operational information. The aim is to represent the data and the relationships between data required by all major application areas and users groups

We will construct useful classes (entities) for organizing and recording performance information.

The conceptual database design will be illustrated using a graphical model called the Entity-Relationships model. After that the conceptual design will be translated into logical relationship schema.

The conceptual data model is refined and mapped on to logical data model to serve as a source for the physical design and implementation.