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Exercise 10
1. What is the minimal data rule in conceptual design? Why is it important?
The minimal data rule specifies that all the data defined in the data model are actually
required to fit present and expected future data requirements. This rule may be
phrased as All that is needed is there, and all that is there is needed.
2. What steps are required in the development of an ER diagram?

STEP ACTIVITY
1 Identify, analyze, and refine the business rules.
2 Identify the main entities, using the results of Step 1.
3 Define the relationships among the entities, using the results of Steps 1 and 2.
4 Define the attributes, primary keys, and foreign keys for each of the entities.
5 Normalize the entities. (Remember that entities are implemented as tables in an RDBMS.)
6 Complete the initial ER diagram.
7 Have the main end users verify the model in Step 6 against the data, information, and
processing requirements.
8 Modify the ER diagram, using the results of Step 7.
Point out that some of the steps listed in the table take place concurrently. And some,
such as the normalization process, can generate a demand for additional entities
and/or attributes, thereby causing the designer to revise the ER model. For example,
while identifying two main entities, the designer might also identify the composite
bridge entity that represents the many-to-many relationship between those two main
entities.
3. The ABC Car Service & Repair Centers are owned by the SILENT car
dealer; ABC services and repairs only SILENT cars. Three ABC Car Service &
Repair Centers provide service and repair for the entire state.
Each of the three centers is independently managed and operated by a shop

manager, a receptionist, and at least eight mechanics. Each center maintains a
fully stocked parts inventory.
Each center also maintains a manual file system in which each car’s
maintenance history is kept: repairs made, parts used, costs, service dates,
owner, and so on. Files are also kept to track inventory, purchasing, billing,
employees’ hours, and payroll.
You have been contacted by the manager of one of the centers to design and
implement a computerized system. Given the preceding information, do the
following:
a. Indicate the most appropriate sequence of activities by labeling each of the
following steps in the correct order. (For example, if you think that “Load
the database.” is the appropriate first step, label it “1.”)
____ Normalize the conceptual model.

____ Obtain a general description of company operations.
____ Load the database.
____ Create a description of each system process.
____ Test the system.
____ Draw a data flow diagram and system flowcharts.
____ Create a conceptual model, using ER diagrams.
____ Create the application programs.
____ Interview the mechanics.
____ Create the file (table) structures.
____ Interview the shop manager.
The answer to this question may vary slightly from one designer to the next,
depending on the selected design methodology and even on personal designer
preferences. Yet, in spite of such differences, it is possible to develop a common
design methodology to permit the development of a basic decision-making process
and the analysis required in designing an information system.
Whatever the design philosophy, a good designer uses a specific and ordered set of
steps through which the database design problem is approached. The steps are
generally based on three phases: analysis, design, and implementation. These phases
yield the following activities:
ANALYSIS
1. Interview the shop manager
2. Interview the mechanics
3. Obtain a general description of company operations
4. Create a description of each system process
DESIGN
5. Create a conceptual model, using E-R diagrams
6. Draw a data flow diagram and system flow charts
7. Normalize the conceptual model
IMPLEMENTATION
8. Create the table structures
9. Load the database
10. Create the application programs
11. Test the system.
This listing implies that, within each of the three phases, the steps are completed in a
specific order. For example, it would seem reasonable to argue that we must first
complete the interviews if we are to obtain a proper description of the company
operations. Similarly, we may argue that a data flow diagram precedes the creation of
the E-R diagram. Nevertheless, the specific tasks and the order in which they are
addressed may vary. Such variations do not matter, as long as the designer bases the
selected procedures on an appropriate design philosophy, such as top-down vs.
bottom-up.
Given this discussion, we may present problem 1's solution this way:
__7__ Normalize the conceptual model.
__3__ Obtain a general description of company operations.
__9__ Load the database.
__4__ Create a description of each system process.
_11__ Test the system.
__6__ Draw a data flow diagram and system flow charts.
__5__ Create a conceptual model, using E-R diagrams.
_10__ Create the application programs.
__2__ Interview the mechanics.
__8__ Create the file (table) structures.
__1__ Interview the shop manager.
Note: 5 and 6 might swap the order.
b. How will a data dictionary help you develop the system? Give examples.
Remember that the data dictionary makes it easier to check for the existence of
synonyms and homonyms, to check whether all attributes exist to support required
reports, to verify appropriate relationship representations, and so on. Therefore,
the data dictionary's contents will help us to provide consistency across modules
and to evaluate the system's ability to generate the required reports. In addition,
the use of the data dictionary facilitates the creation of system documentation.
c. What is the best approach to conceptual database design? Why?
Given the nature of this business, the best way to produce this conceptual
database design would be to use a centralized and top-down approach. Keep in
mind that the designer must keep the design sufficiently flexible to make sure that
it can accommodate any future integration of this system with the other service
stations in the state.
d. Name and describe at least four reports the system should have. Explain
their use. Who will use those reports?
REPORT 1
Monthly Activity contains a summary of service categories by branch and by
month. Such reports may become the basis for forecasting personnel and stock
requirements for each branch and for each period.
REPORT 2
Mechanic Summary Sheet contains a summary of work hours clocked by each
mechanic. This report would be generated weekly and would be useful for payroll
and maintenance personnel scheduling purposes.
REPORT 3
Monthly Inventory contains a summary of parts in inventory, inventory
draw-down, parts reorder points, and information about the vendors who will
provide the parts to be reordered. This report will be especially useful for
inventory management purposes.
REPORT 4
Customer Activity contains a breakdown of customers by location, maintenance
activity, current balances, available credit, and so on. This report would be useful
to forecast various service demand factors, to mail promotional materials, to send
maintenance reminders, to keep track of special customer requirements, and so
on.

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Exercise 10

1. What is the minimal data rule in conceptual design? Why is it important?

2. What steps are required in the development of an ER diagram?

Each of the three centers is independently managed and operated by a shop

____ Normalize the conceptual model.

7 Normalize the conceptual model.

3 Obtain a general description of company operations.

9 Load the database.

4 Create a description of each system process.

_11__ Test the system.

6 Draw a data flow diagram and system flow charts.

5 Create a conceptual model, using E-R diagrams.

_10__ Create the application programs.

2 Interview the mechanics.

8 Create the file (table) structures.

1 Interview the shop manager.

Note: 5 and 6 might swap the order.

c. What is the best approach to conceptual database design? Why?

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