"PRIDE"-Data Base Engineering Methodology (DBEM)

PRIDE

-DBEM

Data Base Engineering Methodology
PHASE 6 - DBEM EVALUATION
ACTIVITY A - PERFORM DATA BASE AUDIT

EXAMPLES TOOLS & TECHNIQUES FUNCTIONAL MATRIX CHECKLIST FORMS

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CONTENTS

This section contains the following:

BUSINESS PURPOSE

OVERVIEW

STEPS IN EXECUTION

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (separate sections)
- Phase 6 Review Checklist

BUSINESS PURPOSE

The purpose of this activity is to determine if the new or modified data base and the associated systems operate according to specifications.

OVERVIEW

In preparation for the audit, Data Base Administration/Data Communications Administration obtains from the Technical Library the following documentation, as required:

Phase 1 "Data Base Study and Evaluation Report."

Phase 2 "ALDBM Design Manual."

Phase 3 "ELDBM Design Manual."

Phase 4 "EPDBM Design Manual."

Phase 5 "APDBM Design Manual."

Data Base Administration and Data Communications Administration reviews the documentation in detail to assure complete understanding. It will be the objective during the survey to verify if all design considerations are operative and the Information Requirements are being satisfied. Any difference will be noted and accounted for during the survey.

A data base audit and survey is analogous to Phase 1, Activity B, "Current Data Base Evaluation." In the survey, the DBA and DCA check actual operations against the documentation, as opposed to determining the actual operation and developing documentation. Hardware and/or software monitors may be used to measure performance parameters.

Data Base Administration prepares a Detail estimate and schedule to perform the activities within Phase 6 (A and B). Pertinent management of the operating departments are advised in advance of the survey and its purpose. Data Base Administration conducts the interviews initially with management, and with their cooperation, the in-depth departmental interviews. Under no circumstances should the impression be given that this audit is a check on the department's performance. If any misunderstandings should arise, they are to be resolved immediately. During the interviews, DBA/DCA encourages constructive suggestions and discusses problem areas with operating personnel.

This survey should, as a by-product, improve data base operation. If any problem areas are indicated, DBA/DCA should work with the supervision toward correction.

As a result of this activity, DBA/DCA has conducted a complete data base survey and prepared Work Requests covering any necessary corrective actions or enhancements.

STEPS IN EXECUTION

Data Base Administration/Data Communications collects and studies all pertinent phase documentation from the Technical Library on the data base.

DBA/DCA prepares a Detail estimate and schedule for the activities of Phase 6. This estimate and schedule is reviewed with Project Management for approval.

DBA/DCA studies and monitors the data base operation and associated systems and conducts interviews with the key personnel, particularly Systems Engineering, Software Engineering, DP Operations, and possibly some key users. Discrepancies between the documentation and the actual operation are noted.

DBA/DCA prepares an evaluation of the data base comparing its actual performance to specifications. Weaknesses and omissions are noted and, if necessary, Data Base Administration produces suggested "Work Request/Modification-Improvement Descriptions" for approval.