SECTION IV Data Model Quality By now, you know the important role data modeling plays in application development, you know the components of a data model, and you know the six different types of data models. Now that we have all this data modeling knowledge, how can we improve the quality of our data modeling deliverables? Section IV focuses on improving data model quality through templates, the Data Model Scorecard®, and better communication with businesspeople and the project team. Chapter 11 goes through some useful templates for capturing and validating requirements. These templates will save time as well as improve the accuracy of the resulting data model. Chapter 12 focuses on the Data Model Scorecard®, a proven technique for validating data model quality. The quality of the data model directly impacts many characteristics of the resulting application, including stability and data quality. Chapter 13 provides advice for the analyst and data modeler on working with other team members. Graeme Simsion has worked in the data modeling field for twenty-five years as a practitioner, teacher and researcher, and he shares his experiences on setting expectations, staying on track, and achieving closure. 213