Building an Initial Data Model $($refer to image for basic framework$)$

The assignment:

The following is a brief description of project tracking at ACME Widgets. Read this over, attempt

to identify entities and relationships, and begin the development of a simple initial data model. Be

prepared to discuss the things about which the business needs to record information, and the

important facts about them. You can use paper, Word, or a data modeling tool. You may work

with a partner but you need to submit your own work.

Project Tracking at ACME Widgets:

ACME Widgets, Inc. has a growing Information Systems department. Until recent years, the

department was concerned almost entirely with selecting, installing and maintaining purchased

software packages. Recently, however, the focus has shifted towards the in$-$house development

of application software.

One of the problems confronting the IS department is that they have no base of historical data to

aid in trend analysis or estimating development effort, nor any effective means of charging back

development costs. The proposed solution is to develop a simple Project Tracking System, which

will work in conjunction with the existing Personnel and General Ledger Systems.

When a development project is initiated, a project name and a short description are recorded,

among other things As well, a new account is created on the G$/$L System, identified by a G$/$L

account number. Project costs will be charged to this account, and an initial account balance $($the

project budget$)$ is set.

Project planners break a project down into many tasks, perhaps hundreds. A typical project task

might be $$Test Order Entry Module$.$ Some of the facts that are required about tasks include a

brief task description estimated work hours, and the scheduled start and finish dates.

Eventually, individual employees are assigned responsibility for the tasks. Some tasks will be the

responsibility of many employees, and an employee might be assigned to many tasks. As each

employee is assigned to a project task, their planned start and finish dates, their role on the task

$($e$.$g$.,$Develop test scripts$),$ and the estimated number of hours they are to spend on the task

are recorded. Employee information such as the employee name and number are available from

the existing Personnel System, although it will have to be modified to record the employee$$s

hourly charge$-$out rate.

When an IS employee begins work on a new task, their actual start date is recorded. A running

total of the number of hours that they have worked on each started task is updated regularly. At

the same time, the remaining balance in the project account is updated. When an employee

completes a task assignment, the completion date is recorded.

Solution $2$ Building an Initial Data Model

The assignment:

The following is a brief description of project tracking at ACME Widgets. Read this over, attempt to identify entities and relationships, and begin the development of a simple initial data model. Be prepared to discuss the things about which the business needs to record information, and the important facts about them. You can use paper, Word, or a data modeling tool. You may work with a partner but you need to submit your own work.

Project Tracking at ACME Widgets:

ACME Widgets, Inc. has a growing Information Systems department. Until recent years, the department was concerned almost entirely with selecting, installing and maintaining purchased software packages. Recently, however, the focus has shifted towards the in$-$house development of application software.

One of the problems confronting the IS department is that they have no base of historical data to aid in trend analysis or estimating development effort, nor any effective means of charging back development costs. The proposed solution is to develop a simple Project Tracking System, which will work in conjunction with the existing Personnel and General Ledger Systems.

When a development project is initiated, a project name and a short description are recorded, among other things As well, a new account is created on the G$/$L System, identified by a G$/$L account number. Project costs will be charged to this account, and an initial account balance $($the project budget$)$ is set.

Project planners break a project down into many tasks, perhaps hundreds. A typical project task might be "Test Order Entry Module". Some of the facts that are required about tasks include a brief task description estimated work hours, and the scheduled start and finish dates.

Eventually, individual employees are assigned responsibility for the tasks. Some tasks will be the responsibility of many employees, and an employee might be assigned to many tasks. As each employee is assigned to a project task, their planned start and finish dates, their role on the task $($e$.$g$.,$ "Develop test scripts"$),$ and the estimated number of hours they are to spend on the task are recorded. Employee information such as the employee name and number ar