The Heart of Data Modeling: The Best Data Modeler is a Lazy Data Modeler
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This document summarizes Karen Lopez's presentation on being a lazy data modeler. The presentation argues that automating repetitive tasks through tools' automation features and scripting languages like PowerShell allows data modelers to spend more time on higher-level work. Lopez provides 10 tips for data modelers to identify mindless tasks for automation, learn automation skills, and implement automation iteratively. The goal of laziness is presented as producing higher-quality models and databases through focusing one's work, rather than doing menial tasks manually.
The Heart of Data Modeling: The Best Data Modeler is a Lazy Data Modeler
- 1. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 1 Karen Lopez @datachick #HeartData Heart of Data Modeling The Best Data Modeler is a Lazy Data Modeler Yes, Please do Tweet/Share today’s event @datachick #heartdata
- 2. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 2 Karen López Karen has 20+ years of data and information architecture experience on large, multi-project programs. She is a frequent speaker on data modeling, data-driven methodologies and pattern data models. She wants you to love your data… She is very, very lazy How Lazy Are You? ...so let’s get to know you….
- 3. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 3 Attendees, be part of the webinar Use Q&A for formal questions Use chat to discuss with each other Plan for Today Why topic?Why topic? What? Lazy? What the Heck?What? Lazy? What the Heck? Some Demos, Screenshots & What NotSome Demos, Screenshots & What Not 10 Tips for Being More Lazy10 Tips for Being More Lazy
- 4. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 4 On being lazy Why this Topic? Why NOT this Topic? The best data modeler is a lazy data modeler. http://www.datamodel.com/index.php/2011/ 02/08/the-best-data-modeler-is-a-lazy-data- modeler-tsql2sday-post/
- 5. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 5 But it’s not about free time •Forensics •Serving our “customers” •Better quality data models •Better databases •Providing better support to teams •Making models more accessible •Removing obstacles to data model use •Doing mindful tasks and activities It’s about better modeling time…more time for
- 6. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 6 Lazy Data Modeler = Better Data Modeler Still work hard On more important tasks Why data modelers don’t want to automate There’s a learning curve No one shares their scripts “I’m not a programmer” They don’t know they can
- 7. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 7 They don’t know they can Have never clicked on that feature Were perplexed when they did No idea what to do when they click Tried it once, broke their model and never want to come back Tried to do it, it was a huge timesuck, so they gave up There’s a learning curve.. Why, yes, there is… Start with samples and shared scripts Do a “Hello World!” Spend 20 minutes a day or week learning a bit more Or spend 20 minutes day or week making a business case for developer support Get some training Join an online community/forum
- 8. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 8 Community.embarcadero.com ERwin.com
- 9. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 9 scn.sap.com/community/powerdesigner sybase.public.powerdesigner.general
- 10. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 10 Question Break IF Question(You) THEN Answers(Datachick) END IF “I’m not a programmer” Great! Not a problem! Some tools… require real application development skills. require scripting level skills will record your keystrokes and generate a script – Excel, for instance. come with sample macros/scripts provide places for organization share their macros and scripts
- 11. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 11 No one shares their scripts History of non-sharing Online Communities Github, etc. It’s time to join this century. Yes, there are legal issues. But these macros aren’t any more sensitive / proprietary than other scripts that are shared widely. Kinds of Lazy Internal Model CRUD Naming Creating columns Applying Indexes, Constraints …more External productivity Printing Generating Reports Generating Images Making Backups Managing files, templates, config files, etc.
- 12. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 12 Automated Naming standards Let the computer apply your crazy meta data stuffing schemes http://www.datamodel.com/index.php/2012/10/10/metadata- stuffing-why-i-hate-tbl_-for-table-names/ Deal with physical constraints of your DBMS Case, spaces, special characters, length, etc. All the tools have something that does this, and they are similar. But sometimes the naming utilities aren’t enough (more later) Let’s look at some tools…
- 13. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 13 CA ERwin Data Modeler Full blown API Active Scripting Visual Basic for Applications Object oriented application features and requirements Documented online ERwin API Reference Guide support.ca.com Erwin-knowledgebase.com
- 14. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 14 Automated Naming standards Let the computer apply your crazy meta data stuffing schemes http://www.datamodel.com/index.php/2012/10/10/metadata- stuffing-why-i-hate-tbl_-for-table-names/ Deal with physical constraints of your DBMS Case, spaces, special characters, length, etc. All the tools have something that does this, and they are similar. But sometimes the naming utilities aren’t enough (more later) SAP PowerDesigner Java, VBScript, C, other languages Executed inside the tool Text files that can be edited outside the tool Documentation on the web infocenter.Sybase.com
- 15. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 15 SAP PowerDesigner Embarcadero ER/Studio SAXBasic macro language Similar to VBScript Executed inside the tool Text files that can be edited outside the tool Documentation inside ER/Studio
- 16. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 16 Question Break IF Question(You) THEN Answers(Datachick) END IF So why Lazy? Mindless tasks take up a lot of time You were hired for your brain, not your good looks More time for modeling, not printing, reporting, etc. More time to help devs & DBAs
- 17. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 17 PowerShell is your Lazy Enabler • Windows Feature • Automates EVERYTHING • Creating VMs and configuring them • Running your data modeling tool macros while you are sleeping • Backing up files, databases, etc. • Just about anything in Windows and Azure and…. Karen’s Rules for Being Lazy Don’t spend time doing things that a computer is faster and better at Automation is your friend Don’t try to automate everything at once Don’t try to rebuild an entire data modeling tool in a script Focus mindful things, not mindless ones If you’ve automated it, you must ask vendors to make it a feature in their tool
- 18. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 18 So let’s summarize: • Automating boring tasks makes you happier. • Happier Data Architects are better Data Architects • Automated recurring, boring tasks make bosses happier • Automating tasks makes for more accurate work • Saving time for you and your team members makes everyone happier. 10 Tips for Being a Lazy Data Modeler 1. Learn automation features in your tools 2. Use automation features in your tools 3. Learn PowerShell 4. Never run a script on your production models without testing and understanding it completely 5. Ask for developer support
- 19. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 19 10 Tips for Data Modelers 6. Examine your activities. Question all of them. 7. Find mindless tasks that are your TOP candidates for automation 8. Free up junk modeling time to allow you to do mindful work 9. Think in terms of iterative, incremental improvement, not big bang automate the whole world first 10.Be lazy. All the time. Every day. Get more lazy. More Resources The Best DBA is a Lazy DBA: Guide to the Minimalist DBA (with Thomas LaRock) http://fundamentals.sqlpass.org/MeetingDetails.aspx?EventID=853 PowerShell https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/scriptcenter/powershell.aspx Github https://github.com/
- 20. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 20 Call to Action! 1. Find 3 activities you do now that are mindless junk modeling 2. Search for scripts/macros that automate them • Web Search • Ask on forums • Find a similar one 3. Make it your own 4. Use it Embarcadero T-shirt Draw
- 21. Karen Lopez @DATACHICK May 2015 www.dataversity.net www.datamodel.com 21 Thank you, you were great. Let’s do this next month! Karen Lopez @datachick #heartdata