Example Career: Database Architects

Career Description

Design strategies for enterprise databases, data warehouse systems, and multidimensional networks. Set standards for database operations, programming, query processes, and security. Model, design, and construct large relational databases or data warehouses. Create and optimize data models for warehouse infrastructure and workflow. Integrate new systems with existing warehouse structure and refine system performance and functionality.

What Job Titles Database Architects Might Have

• Database Analyst
• Database Developer
• Database Programmer
• Information Architect

What Database Architects Do

• Develop and document database architectures.
• Collaborate with system architects, software architects, design analysts, and others to understand business or industry requirements.
• Develop database architectural strategies at the modeling, design and implementation stages to address business or industry requirements.
• Design databases to support business applications, ensuring system scalability, security, performance, and reliability.
• Develop data models for applications, metadata tables, views or related database structures.
• Design database applications, such as interfaces, data transfer mechanisms, global temporary tables, data partitions, and function-based indexes to enable efficient access of the generic database structure.
• Develop methods for integrating different products so they work properly together, such as customizing commercial databases to fit specific needs.
• Create and enforce database development standards.
• Document and communicate database schemas, using accepted notations.
• Develop data model describing data elements and their use, following procedures and using pen, template or computer software.
• Work as part of a project team to coordinate database development and determine project scope and limitations.
• Identify and evaluate industry trends in database systems to serve as a source of information and advice for upper management.
• Set up database clusters, backup, or recovery processes.
• Demonstrate database technical functionality, such as performance, security and reliability.
• Develop load-balancing processes to eliminate down time for backup processes.
• Plan and install upgrades of database management system software to enhance database performance.
• Identify, evaluate and recommend hardware or software technologies to achieve desired database performance.
• Test programs or databases, correct errors, and make necessary modifications.
• Identify and correct deviations from database development standards.
• Review project requests describing database user needs to estimate time and cost required to accomplish project.
• Write and code logical and physical database descriptions, and specify identifiers of database to management system or direct others in coding descriptions.
• Develop or maintain archived procedures, procedural codes, or queries for applications.
• Provide technical support to junior staff or clients.
• Establish and calculate optimum values for database parameters, using manuals and calculators.

What Database Architects Should Be Good At

• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

What Database Architects Should Be Interested In

• Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

What Database Architects Need to Learn

• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.