• The IRM Approach vs. the "Systems" Approach
• The Shared Data Concept and Its Power
• Time and Data
• Big Picture: conceptual, logical, physical data modeling
• Logistics and principles of E/R Modeling sessions, and how they work best

B. The process, rules, and guidelines of E/R Modeling:

• Detecting and qualifying entities
• Entity Rules


• Building the E/R Diagram


• Diagram Symbols
• Relationship Rules


• Reading (and ensuring users can read) the E/R diagram


• Special E/R constructs and their use.
• N-ary Relationships
• Recursive Relationships
• Subtype/Supertype
• Characteristic Entities
• Associative Entities
• Relationship Roles
• Role/Contributor Entities

• Analyzing and defining the allowable states and state transitions for each entity
• State Transition Diagrams
• State/Transition Rules
• Variations on States


• Formally defining each entity and relationship in terms of business policy
• Resolving business policy/procedural conflicts, gaps, ambiguities
• Example entity definition
• Example relationship definition
• Reviewing the E/R Model to achieve database stability and flexibility in the face of probable, major business changes

C. Extensive Workshop