Database Design and Management

Knowledge and ability to apply the methods, practices and policies that are used in the design and the management of databases.

Level 1 Introductory: Demonstrates introductory understanding and ability and, with guidance, applies the competency in a few, simple situations. Can direct people to the appropriate source for further information.

BEHAVIORS

• Describes basic concepts in database management, design concepts and levels of database security.

• Follows established steps and procedures to resolve simple performance issues.

• Extracts and manipulates data using simple queries.

• Assists in providing access to existing databases.

QUESTIONS

• Describe a recent situation where you were required to have an understanding of database concepts and tools.

Probing Questions

* What were your role and responsibilities in this project?

* What concepts/tools did you need to grasp in order to be effective in the situation?

* How did your understanding of these concepts/tools allow you to be more effective?

* What was the outcome?

• Describe a situation where you had to rely on your skills to build simple queries to extract the right data from a database.

Probing Questions

* What was the data that was required?

* What difficulties did you encounter?

* How did you resolve them?

* How did it turn out?

Level 2 Basic: Demonstrates basic knowledge and ability and, with guidance, can apply the competency in common situations that present limited difficulties.

BEHAVIORS

• Works with a single database management system, and uses its components effectively in the accomplishment of regular work tasks.

• Explains the key elements and principles of data manipulation language and data definition language.

• Test simple database access modules.

• Follows established steps and procedures to perform database backup and recovery.

• Applies concepts of database release management, applications business rules, data integrity, database security implementation, workload management and interaction with DBMS.

• Transforms simple requirements into populated and tested physical database structures.

• Conducts basic impact analysis for database change management.

QUESTIONS

• Use a specific example of a situation where you ever designed and created a database for your organization?

Probing Questions

* What were the circumstances surrounding this situation?

* What database management systems did you use?

* What was your step-by-step approach?

* What elements did you consider when constructing this database?

* What were the results of your actions/decisions?

• Describe an episode where you had to design a simple database access module (for adding records, pulling a report, etc.)

Probing Questions

* What were the requirements?

* What was your step-by-step approach?

* What type of difficulties did you encounter?

* What were the results of your actions/decisions?

Level 3 Intermediate: Demonstrates solid knowledge and ability, and can apply the competency, with minimal or no guidance, in the full range of typical situations. Would require guidance to handle novel or more complex situations.

BEHAVIORS

• Displays a broad knowledge of relevant operating systems, applications business rules and its dependencies with other applications, and databases while working with a single Database Management System (DBMS).

• Makes recommendations on the transformation of data models into database schema / logical model.

• Translates complex requirements into releases of fully developed and tested database access modules.

• Automates diagnostic and monitoring tools to prevent problems, and enhance performance and availability.

• Develops, selects, recommends and implements strategies for backup and recovery, data population and migration.

• Conducts general impact analysis on database change management.

• Resolves data integrity issues and implements data integrity safeguards.

QUESTIONS

• Describe a system that you worked on where your database was an intrinsic part of an enterprise system with multiple applications and databases.

Probing Questions

* What issues and challenges did you face with this database?

* How did you ensure database integrity within this environment?

* What did you do to ensure that adequate testing was conducted whenever application changes occurred?

* How did you relate to the application developers and infrastructure people working on the system?

• During the course of your work, describe how you maintained data integrity and ensured database reliability through diagnostics and monitoring.

Probing Questions

* What tools did you use?

* What types of problems were you trying to prevent?

* How did you achieve your goal of improving organizational performance?

* What criteria did you use to assess improved organizational performance?

• Describe a time when you developed, recommended and implemented strategies for backup and data recovery.

Probing Questions

* What were the circumstances surrounding the situation?

* How did you develop the strategies?

* How did you evaluate the viability of the strategies?

* What recommendations did you put forward?

* How did you implement the strategies?

* What were the results?

Level 4 Advanced: Demonstrates advanced knowledge and ability and can apply the competency in new or complex situations. Guides other professionals.

BEHAVIORS

• Works with multiple Database Management Systems or demonstrates specialist knowledge of one or more DBMS.

• Develops data models incorporating business requirements such as high availability, redundancy and disaster recovery into the logical/physical database design.

• Researches, pilots, and evaluates new technologies and standards.

• Recommends strategies on the integration of new technologies and standards within the corporate network.

• Solves unusual problems or problems with a significant impact on the business.

• Designs and implements data models as well as logical models and physical; databases for major and/or multiple applications.

• Leads the development and/or reviews the testing scenarios used to certify database systems.

• Develops standards and procedures for implementing new database technology.

• Mentors and provides input to data design and database management teams.

QUESTIONS

• Use a specific example to demonstrate how you ensured the integrity and effectiveness of the organization’s data model/warehouse or network model?

Probing Questions

* What were your role and responsibilities in this project? What were the circumstances surrounding the situation?

* What were the steps you took to ensure integrity/effectiveness?

* What were the results of your actions/decisions?

• Discuss a time when you developed database management specifications?

Probing Questions

* What methodologies did you employ in order to develop database management specifications?

* What did you find most challenging in developing these specifications?

* How did you overcome these challenges?

* How did things work out?

• Describe a particular situation where you used your understanding of data architecture management to ensure that your data model was flexible for growth.

Probing Questions

* What were the circumstances surrounding the situation?

* What new data requirements were you anticipating?

* How did you build flexibility into the data model?

* What was the downstream impact on the rest of the organization?

* How well did the model meet/match the new requirements?

Level 5 Expert: Demonstrates expert knowledge and ability, and can apply the competency in the most complex situations. Develops new approaches, methods or policies in the area. Is recognized as an expert, internally and/or externally.

BEHAVIORS

• Provides expert advice to others regarding corporate data management and data stewardship.

• Develops an overall strategy for data management within an established architecture to meet current and future business needs.

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