Data-modeling skills are also a vital part of the design process. It is important to document the design properly. Design
documentation is necessary to facilitate communication among the database designer, the end user, and the developer.
Data modeling, as introduced later in this text, is the most common method of documenting database designs. Using
a standardized data-modeling technique ensures that the data model fulfills its role in facilitating communication. The
data model also provides an invaluable resource when maintaining or modifying a database as business requirements
change. The data designs created by end users are rarely documented and never with an appropriate standardized
data-modeling technique. On a positive note, however, this book will help you develop the skills needed to design and
model a successful database that avoids the problems listed earlier in this section.