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Understanding Data Modelling (Information & resources (Every data…
Understanding Data Modelling
The Scenario
Understanding the scenario;
The scenario lets you know and understand what the spreadsheet needs to be able to do.
Stages of Understanding the Scenario:
You need to find out who wants the spreadsheet, why they need it and what they want to be shown on it.
To understand the choices they need to make, your spreadsheet has to be able to help their decision making by showing what is likely to happen from each alternative and to show which is the best option/choice.
Information & resources
Every data model needs information, so for this stage in the decision making process, you need to know where your information comes from and how reliable the source is.
Information required;
This is the information required for the spreadsheet, you need to identify all the information needed for the spreadsheet data model. This includes, for example, the profit to be made from a new product, or your model will not work. Once you have identified what information is required, you can then identify where it is from.
Additional information and sources;
there may also be information needed for your model that is not supplied in the scenario. You will need to find out where this information is yourself, that is, the source of this information. You must also identify where these sources of any additional information come from, if these sources are from the internet then be careful to record exactly where they come from.
Information already available;
Some of the data required is already available from the scenario, so read the scenario carefully to make sure you don't miss out on information.
Requirements for verifying sources of information;
All of the information you use for your spreadsheet needs to be trustworthy and reliable so that you can be confident that the data in your model will be accurate and useful for your model. Verifying your information sources involves making sure that they are good and usable. This can be done by finding out who has provided the information and how old it is.
Factors affecting the quality of the information
The currency and accuracy of the data are the most important factors that will affect the quality of the information.
Currency of data;
The currency of data is how recent it is. Older data tends to be less useful and accurate as compared to recent and up to date data. Avoiding older data is best and it may make the information for your model a lot less useful.
Accuracy of data;
The accuracy of data is how accurate and error free it is. A good and useful model will use more accurate data. Avoiding inaccurate data will produce better results from your data model
External Factors;
An external factor is something outside of your data that still affects the model itself. External factors can be anything that has an effect on how good your information is.
Analysing Information
Analysing information is an important skill which is used by IT professionals in a wide range of jobs. These range from a help-desk manager to a systems analyst. The most important part of analysis is to understand what data needs to be collected and how it will be processed to find the required information.
Alternative texts and consequences
Identifying alternatives;
Analysing information is likely to produce multiple solutions, of which one will be the chosen outcome. You should consider all the possible alternatives before recommending and/or implementing a solution. To do this, try to approach the analysis from different directions.
Identifying consequences of implementing said alternatives;
Once you have identified alternative methods of information analysis and sources of data, you will need to be able to make a justified and sensible decision about which to use.
A good starting point for this is to identify the quality of the information produced by implementing each alternative.
Making and Justifying Decisions
Making a decision;
After identifying the consequences of implementing each of your alternatives, you will be able to understand which are the best and worst alternatives. This will then allow you to choose which one has the best balance of quality and practicality.
Justifying the decision;
You have to be able to justify your decision (choice of information). Knowing and understanding the consequences of implementing the alternatives should provide solid reasons as to why you made your choice. These reasons have to be explained and justified as part of your assessment.
Communicating decisions to others
Communicating decisions to others is always important. It is essential to everyone involved in the data modelling project to be informed of your decisions. This is accomplished by using the most appropriate methods of communications for each group of people.
Client;
The client is the person from the scenario who wants to use your data model when it is ready. They know what is required and need to be kept up to date with your decisions.