A Picture Can Replace A Thousand Words

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A Picture Can Replace A Thousand WordsMichael Rainey Principal Consultant Rittman Mead


Requirements come from everywhere!


Our Job? Translate - Consolidate - Design - Build!


But it’s not that easy...

•Business terminology ‣Synonyms - “Network ID” and “User ID” ‣Unqualified - “Add the account to the ledger table.” Which account? ‣Similar, but different meanings - “Employee ID” and “Employee Number” ‣Lack of data dictionary

•Misuse of terminology / miscommunication ‣“Can you please ETL some reports for us?”

•Misinterpreted, incorrect, or missing requirements ‣Too much guesswork during design / build phase


Simplify the process...draw a picture!


Simplify the process...draw a picture!

File Server

Target Server

Oracle BI Apps

Target Server

Source Server

Source DB

Extract Pump Replicat Target (Operational Data Store)

Target (Source

Dependent Schema)

Target (Staging)

Target (Foundation)

Extract Pump Replicat

Replicat

ReplicatPump

Pump

Stage Star

ETL ETL

Source Server (Disaster Recovery)

Source DB

Data Guard

Target (ADW)

Replicat

Pump

Trail Trail

File server is shared storage with Disaster Recovery source.

GoldenGate Manager

GoldenGate Manager

GoldenGate Manager

GoldenGate Manager

Star

ETL

GoldenGate Manager

GoldenGate Manager


Why do pictures, models, diagrams work?

•Standardization ‣Identify shapes and their meanings ‣e.g. Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) !

•Pictures are less likely to be incorrectly interpreted !

•Relationships and flow of activities are much easier to recognize !

•Allows engagement with the business users


Where else are visuals preferred?


Draw the business process


Here’s how it works...

Determine profitability of current clients

Is client profitable?Start

Profitability of Clients





Propose rate increase to

client

Client determines if rate increase acceptable

No

Rate increase

accepted?







client


No

Rate increase

accepted?

Drop clientNo End







client


No

Rate increase

accepted?

Drop clientNo End

EndSchedule visit

with clientYes

Yes

...







client


No

Rate increase

accepted?

Drop clientNo End

EndSchedule visit

with clientYes

Yes

...


Salesperson Client

Sales Mgr

Salesperson

Salesperson


But wait...how does this apply to me?




client


No

Rate increase

accepted?

Drop clientNo End

EndSchedule visit

with clientYes

Yes

...


Salesperson Client

Sales Mgr

Salesperson

Salesperson






client


No

Rate increase

accepted?

Drop clientNo End

EndSchedule visit

with clientYes

Yes

...


Salesperson Client

Sales Mgr

There is a clear reporting need to complete this activity.

Salesperson

Salesperson






client


No

Rate increase

accepted?

Drop clientNo End

EndSchedule visit

with clientYes

Yes

...


Salesperson Client

Sales Mgr

There is a clear reporting need to complete this activity.

Salesperson

Salesperson

And we know who to talk with…


Conclusion

Draw A Picture

A Picture Can Replace A Thousand Words

Technology

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