1.1 Evaluate the role of databases within organisations

Assessment Guidance

To achieve this unit, learners must achieve the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by the assessment criteria for this unit. Additional guidance is provided on the ATHE sample assignment brief. Learners will design a relational database in line with the client brief and they will need to demonstrate advanced database skills during the implementation stage.

Learning Outcomes – The learner will:

1. Understand database management systems

1.1 Evaluate the role of databases within organisations

1.2 Critically evaluate the database design process for a complex database

1.3 Explain techniques that can be used to connect databases to other applications

1.4 Recommend a database management system to design a complex database

Indicative Content

• Developing databases for organisations: organisational structures, data elements, data sets, forms and reports

• Database design: entities, relationships, attributes, keys, data types, and normalisation

• Database connectivity: connecting databases to applications, relational database connectivity, ODBC, JDBC

• Database management systems

2. Be able to design a relational database in line with a client brief

2.1 Plan the design of a complex relational database in response to a client brief

2.2 Design a complex relational database in response to a client brief

2.3 Normalise data to 3rd normal form

Indicative Content

• Planning relational database design: database requirements, ERD, DFD, data dictionary, decomposition, functional dependencies

• Database design: Designing database table, Creating database indexes and constraints, Designing SQL queries, forms, macros, security

• Normalisation: Identifying insufficiency of normal forms, Comparing normal forms, 1NF, 2NF and 3NF, De-normalisation

3. Be able to implement a database design

3.1 Construct a complex database to meet a design brief

3.2 Implement database design features to meet design brief

3.3 Test the database to ensure it meets a client brief

Indicative Content

• Database construction: advanced SQL queries, user actions

• Implementing database features: database security features, database links (LAMP, WAMP), graphical user interfaces (GUI)

• Database testing: testing plans, database components, extreme data, error handling

4. Be able to review the process of design and implementation of a database

4.1 Critically evaluate design documentation identifying improvements where appropriate

4.2 Review the database implementation process to establish lessons learned

Indicative Content

• Database documentation: database architecture, database documentation components

• Database development review: design review, code inspection, security inspection, post implementation review