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My Approach
My purpose is to design a simple Datababase for a Toilet which will be used to obtain lists of Components, Sub-Assemblies and Assemblies and total costs of Assemblies and Finished Products. I start by identifying the Requirements. Then design the Conceptual Data Model, which is very useful for discussion with business users. Then I design the Logical Data Model Finally I create the Physical Model which I use to create the Database. |
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Step 1 - I start with a Photograph of the Toilet
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Step 2 - Then I find a Drawing of a Standard Toilet
This is based on the American Standard Toilets Parts Diagram and helps me to identify the separate parts that I use in my Data Model. |
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Step 3 - This helps to identify parts in my simple Toilet
that correspond to parts in the American Standard Toilets Parts Diagram. |
| Step 4 - Then I design a Conceptual Data Model
for the Diagram in Step 3. I have added the Toilet Lid and Seat because they don't appear in the American Standards Diagram. |
| Step 5 - Simplify the Conceptual Data Model
I generalise the Model by replacing specific Components by generic Components. In this case, it means replacing Lid and Seat, Tank and Bowl by 'Assemblies', and Trip Lever by 'Components'. |
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Step 6 - Create a Realistic Logical Model
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Step 7 - Finally, I create the Physical Model to generate the Database.
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Advanced |
Product 1 |
Products 2 |
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Intermediate
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Assembly 1
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Assemblies 2,3 |
| Basic |
Component 1,2 |
Component 3,4,5,6 |