Database Design Buyer's Guide
Choosing database designers
The type of database designer you should work with depends on your current and future database needs. It doesn't matter if you use a small, local company with one or two database designers or a large national firm with a team of database architects, programmers, and designers. The right vendor will create a database that is user-friendly and meets your business needs.
First and foremost, look for database designers with extensive experience with the software you use (Access, Oracle, SQL, or other.) Although the process for designing a database can be similar across several platforms, a designer may do his or her best work using a particular program. By matching up database designers with the platforms they excel in, you increase your chances of developing the database that's the best fit for your business.
The right database designer should also have strong architecture prowess to design tables that will scale to your business. In addition, the designer also needs vast experience creating applications and database functionality. If one designer can't offer both attributes, look for database vendors that can provide multiple database design and application development experts that work in tandem.
Look for database designers or project managers with strong management expertise who will ensure the design process flows smoothly. The right database expert should pay strong attention to detail so all steps outlined in the specs and requirement documents are described clearly and created accurately according to your needs.
In addition to technical skills, reputable database designers should also possess other important qualities that show they are reliable and trustworthy:
- Strong communication — The designer should provide you with regular updates in language you can understand so you know the project is coming along to your specifications. And since the development process can be time-consuming and at times stressful, a designer that communicates well can smooth out feelings of tension and ensure you're happy with both the work and the end product.
- Integrity — If any flaws come up in the design or the development, the designer should stand up for his mistake and correct the problem at no additional cost.
- Honesty — The designers should be up front with you at all times. If your project hits a roadblock and will take longer than expected, they should let you know instead of trying a quick fix.
You should definitely look into multiple database designers before making a decision. Find out what different firms can offer, how they will approach your project, and what functionality they can offer within your budget. Ask as many questions as possible to learn about each designer's practices and processes before making a decision. Such questions may include:
- How long have you been in business?
- Is database design and development your primary business?
- What type of projects have you done that are similar to what I'm looking for?
- Are there sample databases you could show me that might be a good fit?
- Describe your process for designing and implementing a database.
- Who will work on my project?
- What training will you provide to my employees?
- Provide an example of a problem you helped a previous client overcome.
- Will I receive full documentation for how my database is constructed?
- If we need to modify the database in the future, will we have access to the code?
- Can you provide the type of database functionality I need for my business, or would I be better off with a prepackaged solution?
Always check references from previous customers, preferably in a business similar to yours. Your goal should be to find out as much as you can about the project to see if the database designer is one you would feel comfortable working with. Make sure to ask references if the project was completed on time, if the vendor addressed problems quickly, and what level of customer service the vendor provided.
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