Information Systems, Databases, and Models › Data Modeling Sessions › Session Roles

Session Roles

Formal, guided sessions, with defined roles for participants and agreed upon procedures and rules, are an absolute requirement. The following roles work well:

Facilitator

A facilitator acts as the session guide and is responsible for:

• Arranging the meetings and facilities
• Providing follow-up documentation
• Intervening during sessions, as necessary, to keep sessions on track and to control the scope of the session.

Data Architect

Leads the group through the process of developing and validating the model. A data architect develops the model, in real time if possible, in front of the group. The data architect asks pertinent questions that bring out the important details and records the resulting structure for all to see. The same individual can fill both facilitator and data architect roles, although it can be difficult.

Data Analyst

Acts as the scribe for the session and records the definitions of all the entities and attributes that make up the model. Using the information from the business experts, the data analyst can also begin to package entities and attributes into subject areas. Subject areas are simply manageable and meaningful subsets of the complete data model.

Subject Matter Expert

Provides the business information necessary to construct the model. You can have more than one subject matter expert. They are business experts, not systems experts.

Manager

Participates in the sessions in an assigned role (such as facilitator or subject matter expert) and keeps the process moving. The manager has the responsibility of “breaking ties” but only when necessary. The manager can be from either the systems or business community.