Question Description

Deliverable: Project Introduction and Database/Data Warehousing Design

This project is to design database document. This assignment consists of two (2) sections: a project introduction and a design document. You must submit both sections as ONE file for the completion of this assignment. Label each file name according to the section of the assignment it is written for. Additionally, you may create and/or assume all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment.

You are currently the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for an innovative Internet-based company with gross revenues of more than $35 million dollars per year. During an executive leadership meeting, you were told that your company will be merging with a multinational company of equal size and you will be responsible for developing a project plan to strategically integrate all systems, including databases and infrastructure. The Chief Executive Officer has given you sixty (60) days to deliver an information technology project plan in anticipation of the company merger. Your company will be expanding from one (1) floor to three (3) floors within six (6) months. Since this merger will be bringing two (2) fairly equal-sized companies together under one roof, the infrastructure must be redesigned to accommodate the increased needs. Your company currently uses operational systems and relational databases but desires to expand into data warehousing. All information technology (hardware and software) must be redesigned to meet organizational needs. The solution should be implemented in either a hosted solution, on-site solution, or a hybrid model. The CEO is expecting you to integrate different technologies from different solution providers and incorporate industry best practices in connection with the development of technological systems. In addition, the CEO is extremely interested in cloud technologies and virtualization but is leery of security issues; however, the CEO is sure that you will implement proper security protocols. The company currently consists of twenty five (25) employees but is expected to increase to sixty five (65) employees when the merger is complete.

Required Design Document for #1

Write at least five (5) page (MUST include at least 2 APA typed reference list) project introduction that documents the current state of the organization prior to any development or enhancements, takes into account all the information given above, and includes the following:

1.  Background information of the company.

2.  Details regarding the type of business activities that the company is involved in.

3.  Speculation on outsourcing or offshoring opportunities.

4.  A description of the current information systems that the company has to support the business. The description should include an overview of the following: operational systems, databases, and data warehousing; cloud technology and virtualization; and network infrastructure and security.

5.  The use of at least two (2) quality resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia

Required Design Document for #2

One of the main functions of any business is to transform data into information. The use of relational databases and data warehousing has gained recognition as a standard for organizations. A quality database design makes the flow of data seamless. The database schema is the foundation of the relational database. The schema defines the tables, fields, relationships, views, indexes, and other elements. The schema should be created by envisioning the business, processes, and workflow of the company. Since your company is an innovative Internet-based company, movement toward data warehousing seems to be one of the most viable options to give your company a competitive advantage; however, these concepts must be explained to the executive board in a manner to garner support.

Write at least ten-fifteen (10-15) page (MUST include at least 3 APA typed reference list) design document in which you:

1.  Support the need for the use of relational databases and data warehousing. From a management standpoint, it may be important to show the efficiencies that can be gained for executive oversight.

2.  Create a database schema that supports the company’s business and processes. Explain and support the database schema with relevant arguments that support the rationale for the structure. Note: The minimum requirement for the schema should entail the tables, fields, relationships, views, and indexes.

3.  Identify and create database tables with appropriate field-naming conventions. Then, identify primary keys and foreign keys, and explain how referential integrity will be achieved. Normalize the database tables to third normal form (3NF).

4.  Identify and create an Entity-Relationship (E-R) Diagram relating the tables of the database schema through the use of graphical tools in Microsoft Visio or an open source alternative such as Dia. Note: The graphically depicted solution is not included in the required page length but must be included in the design document appendix. Explain your rationale behind the design of the E-R Diagram.

5.  Identify and create a Data Flow Diagram (DFD) relating the tables of your database schema through the use of graphical tools in Microsoft Visio or an open source alternative such as Dia. Note: The graphically depicted solution is not included in the required page length but must be included in the design document appendix. Explain the rationale behind the design of your DFD.

6.  Illustrate the flow of data including both inputs and outputs for the use of a data warehouse. The diagram should map data between source systems, operational systems, data warehouses and specified data marts. Note: The graphically depicted solution is not included in the required page length.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA format.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
• Include charts or diagrams created in MS Word. All references to these diagrams must be included in the body of the design document.

Grading Rubrics

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer of completed the above requirements, quality, logic/organization of the paper, and language and writing skills.

1. Include background information of the company regarding the type of business that the company is engaged in: 10 points

2. Include speculation on outsourcing/offshoring opportunities and APA references list: 10 points

3. Include a description of the information systems that the company currently has to support the business, including operational systems, databases, and data warehousing: 10 points

4. Include a description of the information systems that the company currently has to support the business, including cloud technology and virtualization: 10 points

5. Include a description of the information systemsthat the company currently has to support the business, including network infrastructure and security: 10 points

6. Support the need for the use of relational databases and data warehousing: 20 points

7. Create a database schema that supports the company’s business and processes. Explain and support the database schema with relevant arguments that support the rationale for the structure: 20 points

8. Identify and create database tables with appropriate field-naming conventions. Then, identify primary keys and foreign keys, and explain how referential integrity will be achieved. Normalize the database tables to third normal form (3NF): 20 points

9. Identify and create an Entity-Relationship (E-R) Diagram relating the tables of the database schema. Explain the rationale behind the design of your E-R Diagram: 20 points

10. Identify and create a Data Flow Diagram (DFD) relating the tables of the database schema: 20 points