Database Architect Career

Job 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.


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Database Architect Career

What Database Architects do:

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

What work activities are most important?

Importance Activities

Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Holland Code Chart for a Database Architect