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Data Modeling Exercise

Objective:​

By the end of this activity, you will have a fundamental understanding of data modeling and various modeling techniques, particularly Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERD). You will be able to create and present a simple data model.

Assignment:​

Your group will receive a specific task describing a real-world scenario. For example:

  1. University System: Develop a data model for a university system that manages information about students, professors, courses, and grades.
  2. Online Shop: Develop a data model for an online shop that manages products, customers, orders, and payments.
  3. Hospital Management: Develop a data model for a hospital that manages information about patients, doctors, treatments, and bills.
  4. Library System: Develop a data model for a library that manages information about books, members, loans, and reservations.

Flow:​

  1. Introduction (10 minutes):

    • Group formation
    • Selection of one of the abovementioned scenarios

  2. Research Activity (10 minutes):

    • Conduct a brief research on the basics of ERD.
    • Points to consider:
    • What are entities and relationships?
    • How to represent an ERD?
    • What symbols and notations are used?
    • Use online resources such as Wikipedia, textbooks, or tutorials.

  3. Group Work (20 minutes):

    • Discuss and create a simple data model for your assigned scenario based on your research.
    • Consider the following aspects:
    • Identify the main entities (e.g., students, courses).
    • Define relationships between entities (e.g., students are enrolled in courses).
    • Determine the main attributes for each entity (e.g., student ID, name, date of birth).
    • Use the researched ERD techniques to visualize the data model.
    • Optionally: Sketch an example of an ABAP CDS view to represent part of the data model.

  4. Results Presentation (5 minutes per group):

    • Present your data model and explain the main entities, relationships, and attributes.
    • Make your presentation interactive and creative. For example:
    • Use flipcharts, whiteboards, or digital tools for visualization.
    • Conduct short role-plays or scenarios to illustrate the use of the data model.
    • Answer questions from other groups to deepen the understanding.

Materials:​

  • Flipcharts or whiteboards
  • Pens and markers
  • Optional digital tools (e.g., online whiteboards like Miro or Lucidchart)
  • Example ERDs and ABAP CDS views for illustration
  • Access to online resources for research

Feedback and Discussion (10 minutes):​

  • Provide collective feedback on the presentations and the created models.
  • Discuss challenges and solutions.
  • Summarize the main insights and learnings.