Tackling a database project requires more than just engineering skills, it requires creativity. Just like building your dream house, it takes an architect. An architect helps you to “create a vision for the project, explore its possibilities, raise it to new levels, give it form, and integrate it into your existing environment” (courtesy of the American Institute of Architects). Exactly what you want from your data architect.

The Data Architect

Your data architect’s mission is to translate your vision for automating a business process into a blueprint for building a smart database. 

· In the planning phase, the DA will help define the concept of what needs to be created, its purpose, scope, general functionality, environment, technology, etc. 

It Takes An Architect

· In the requirements phase, you work together to define what information is needed to support the business activity, where the data will originate, what data will be created, who will be using it, where it will be used, how it will be delivered, what
systems it will interface with, what business rules it must comply with, and so on. The result will be a high-level data and process architecture. 

· In the design phase, the DA refines and adds detail to the architecture. High level entities and relationships become databases, tables, data elements, keys and indexes. High-level processes become technology and program specifications.

· Your DA may develop a working prototype during the design phase that will become the hands-on focal point for ongoing design and testing.  (Frontline customarily does this).  The prototype provides a rapid development environment for testing a number of things, including user-interface design, database initialization, data management, performance, business rules, stored procedures, formulas, administrative features, report design, QA test cases, etc.  In the case of a single-purpose desktop application, the prototype may evolve directly into the final product.  In other cases, it will become part of the engineering specifications for building the production databases and applications.

· In the construction phase, after the design specifications are handed off to the builders (database and software engineers), your DA remains actively involved as your representative on the project team.  The DA ensures that specifications are being followed, software components pass testing requirements, data quality is enforced, change requests are communicated and approved, budget terms are adequate and adhered to, timetables are met, etc