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The DBA as Linchpin, Not Roadblock:

Fast track your career in (less than) 60 minutes.

Presenter: Mike Donovan

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IntroductionMike Donovan

Global Digital Business Development, Dbvisit Software@dbvisitmike

Past Experience:• Programmer• Technical Support Analyst• Oracle DBA

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Dbvisit Software

• Database replication is our world• Dedicated software company• Software by DBAs for DBAs• High level of Oracle database expertise ( 2 x 11g OCM )• Deep bench of professional and technical services providers• HQ in New Zealand, US subsidiary, partners throughout the world• Worldwide leader in disaster recovery solutions for Oracle

Standard Edition• 8+ years of exceptional growth (since inception)

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Dbvisit product lineup

World-leading Disaster Recovery Solution for the

Oracle SE database

Affordable Alternative to GoldenGate: – Data Replication for

Oracle-sourced databases

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Cruise control.

CC-BY-SA-3.0/Matt H. Wade at Wikipedia

Who runs the ship in a data driven economy?

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This is going to be great, but...

Complexity

Uncertainty

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“DBA's we are screwed long term - start retraining now while we still have

time... (or get a job at a cloud provider :-))

...I'll follow this up with some more details about RDS when I drag myself

out of panic I'm now in...”

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How should we respond?

• Cover our ears and eyes and resign ourselves to it (ignore)• Retrench - dig in (resist)• Give up / get out (abandon ship)

OR

We can choose to approach these challenges with a new mindset...perhaps we are on the cusp of new possibilities...

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How should we respond?

Business

UsersTechnology

The DBA

CC-BY-SA-3.0/Matt H. Wade at Wikipedia

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1. Territorial

2. Isolated & inaccessible

3. Rigid & distrusting

A story with a positive ending...

Close to the action: discovered the unique potential in the role of the DBA!

A few DBA Stereotypes

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www.sethgodin.com

Measuring value, valuing contribution

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“Linchpins are the essential building blocks of great organizations. Like the small

piece of hardware that keeps a wheel from falling off its axle, they may not be

famous but they're indispensable.” (Seth Godin – Linchpin)

• exert emotional labor to produce interactions that organizations and people care

deeply about• invent, lead (regardless of title), connect others, make things happen, and create

order out of chaos• figure out what to do when there's no rule book • delight and challenge their customers and peers • love their work, pour their best selves into it, and turn each day into a kind of art

Linchpin qualities

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Challenge: the demands on a DBA

Technology • ASM• Virtualization• Cloud (12c)

People• More users/interactions • Administrator

Business• Conflicting demands – both guardian and gatekeeper of data!• Cost cutting - more with less

Becoming a Linchpin is more difficult than ever...

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Island or Stream?

A (not so) secret: sharing is the best form of positive self promotion

The indispendable DBA

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Response: the DBA.rtisan

The solution:

see the role in a different light, and problem as opportunity!

• The DBA role as a craft• Database Administration an art, its practitioners, Artisans.

Core skills + communicativeness + creativity + resourcefulness

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DBA.rtistry

The solution – seeing the role in a different light:

1. Well ORDERED & ORGANIZED database environments

can we call a database ‘beautiful’?

2. And PROCEDURES,

that are

3. PLEASING for people to interact with

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DBA.rtistry - craft notesBecoming an DBA.rtisan in not a matter of luck, so how do we get there?

Underlying principles: The fundamentals/basics are non-negotiable Find the FAILURE point, quick! Diversify (a double, triple threat) Innovate

Some practical suggestions - outward looking, to gauge your progress:

1. Get certified

2. Learn how to code

3. Write & speak

4. Know your business

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Get CertifiedGrow, explore, challenge your understanding

Time is short – efficient focus & broad coverage

• Oracle Certified Associate• Oracle Certified Professional• Oracle Certified Specialist• Oracle Certified Master• NEW: Oracle Database Cloud Administrator

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Learn how to CodeThe PIGGYBACK effect

Underlying drivers:• Problem solving• Understand your co-workers• Appreciate the power of a

database-centric solution

“Many people think I'm a DBA. I'm not.

I have never been and never will be...

But give me a keyboard and a problem,

and I'd love to help you write

a bit of code to solve it.”

Tom Kyte

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Learn how to CodePractical payoffs:• Automate so you don’t have to repeat (not to mention have a life!)• Craft test harnesses and routines to validate assumptions• Free your mind for creative endeavors

PL/SQL, Java & Perl

www.codeacademy.com

• Python: check out “Mastering Oracle+Python” on Oracle Technet

• Javascript: node.js, JSON support in 12c, check out www.jsao.io

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Speak & Write

What do you really know until you share it.

Speak:• Take a course• Host a webinar for your company• Regional Oracle user groups• Local meetups – can’t find one, start one!

At the very least, network.

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Speak & Write

Write:• Run your company Wiki/FAQ• Start your own blog (tips and tricks)• Answer forum questions

The payoff:• Sharing of knowledge• Feeling connected• Generating opportunities

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Know your Business

All about seeing the bigger picture

Tune your contribution:• Take a business course• Put dollar values on improving efficiencies• Develop your customer service skills• Organize tech Q&A sessions - e.g “Ask the DBA Thursday”

Setting up a win/win situation

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Summary Are you indispensable?

Challenge (and potential) in the DBA’s unique position

Response = DBA.rtisans outworking DBA.rtistry

Final thoughts:• I’m not saying this is easy• Be bold and creative• Realize the opportunity you have

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Twitter: @dbvisitmikewww.dbvisit.com

Come see us at:Booth 1931 Moscone South

Thank you.