WebJunction

Do you feel ready and qualified to make decisions about your future database? If so, you need a staff person or a consultant with the following skills, experience and knowledge to run your database planning process:

• Knowledge of the structure and design of a database, including data tables, indices, queries, reports, scripting, and how to sort, develop and create reports.

• Understanding of what makes a good database design (and what the differences are).

• Experience building a database in the past along with examples of their work.

• Fluency in "database terminology."

• Knowledge of the benefits and disadvantages of building, buying and out-sourcing your database. They should also be well versed in the pros and cons of various "off the shelf" products (i.e. Access, Filemaker) as well as understanding the strengths and weaknesses of various "pre-packaged" software products and ASP options.

If you have already made up your mind as to what type of database you need, you will probably still need to hire a consultant to carry out your plan. The following are some specific questions to ask potential consultants when interviewing them about the following database options:

Building a database from scratch

• How long have you been building/developing or evaluating databases?

• In which database applications can you work? (i.e. Access, Filemaker, Dbase, etc)

• Which libraries/businesses have you worked with in the past? Are they still using that database?

• Do you have database examples we can review?

• Do you have examples of the kind of documentation you provide for the databases?

• What kind of support do you offer after the database is built/identified?

• Will you transfer data from our existing database into our new one?

• What deliverables (a database plan, assistance with identifying database products, database specifications, documentation, etc) will you provide?

• Will you provide us with a timeline for this project?

Buying a ready-made or "off-the-shelf" program

• What database applications are you familiar with? (i.e. Access, Filemaker, Dbase, etc)

• How long have you been building/developing or evaluating databases?

• What "packaged database products" are you familiar with? When/where have you recommended those products?

• Do you have any references we can contact?

• What kind of support do you offer after the database is built/identified?

• Will you transfer data from our existing database into our new one?

• What deliverables (a database plan, assistance with identifying database products, database specifications, documentation, etc) will you provide?

Setting up your database through an Application Service Provider (ASP)

• What kind of support do you offer after the database is built/identified?

• How long have you been working with clients using ASP databases?

• How long have you been building/developing or evaluating databases?

• What database applications are you familiar with? (i.e. Access, Filemaker, Dbase, etc)

• What "packaged database products" are you familiar with? When/where have you recommended those products?

• What libraries/businesses have you worked with in the past? Are they still using that database?

• Do you have any references we can contact?

• Do you have database examples we can review?

• Do you have examples of the kind of documentation you provide for the databases?

• What kind of support do you offer after the database is built/identified?

• Will you transfer data from our existing database into our new one?

• What deliverables (a database plan, assistance with identifying database products, database specifications, documentation, etc) will you provide?

• Will you provide us with a timeline for this project?

Armed with these questions, you should be able to make an informed selection of a database consultant. For more information on managing a consulting project, see the articles Managing a Consultant and Define the Consulting Project.