Adopting the latest technological and data related innovations has caused many organisations to realise they don’t have a firm grasp on their basic operational data. This is a problem that Logical Data Models are uniquely qualified to help them solve. The realisation of the need to define a Logical Data Model may be driven by any number of reasons including; trying to link Big Data Analytics to operational data, plunging into Digital Marketing, choosing the best SaaS solution, carrying out a core Data Migration, developing a Data Warehouse, enhancing Data Governance processes, or even just trying to get everyone to agree on their Product specifications! This book will provide you with the skills required to start to answer these and many similar types of questions. It is not written with a focus on IT development, so you don’t need a technical background to get the most from it. But for any professional working in an organisation’s data landscape, this book will provide the skills they need to define high quality and beneficial data models quickly and easily. It does this using a wealth of practical examples, tips and techniques, as well as providing checklists and templates. It is structured into three parts: The Foundations: What are the solid foundations necessary for building effective data models? The Tools: What Tools are required to enable you to specify clear, precise and accurate data model definitions? The Deliverables: What processes will you need to successfully define the models, what will they deliver, and how can we make them beneficial to the organisation? “In this data-rich era, it is even more critical for organisations to answer the question of what their data means and the value it can bring. Those who can, will gain a competitive advantage through their use of data to streamline their operations and energise their strategies. Core to revealing this meaning, is the data model that is now, more than ever, the lynchpin of success. The Data Model Toolkit provides the essential knowledge and skills that will ensure this success.” – Reem Zahran, Global IT Platform Director, TNS “We work with many enterprise customers to help them transform their technology and it always starts with data. The key is a clear definition of their data quality, completeness and governance. This book shows you step by step how to define and use Data Models as powerful tools to define an organisation’s data and maximise its business benefit.” – John Casserly, CEO, Xceed Group