Unit 4: Database Design & Development

Authorised Assignment
Student
Name/ID
Number
Unit Number Unit 4: Database Design & Development
and Title
Academic Year 2025

Unit Tutor

Assignment Title Developing A Relational Database System

Issue Date 8-5-2025

Submission Date 6-6-2025

Submission Format

The assignment submission is in the form of:

• a relational database design document to design a relational database system for a
substantial problem. The recommended word limit is 1,000–1,500 words, although you
will not be penalised for exceeding the total word limit
• a database development document to document the development and testing
of a fully-functional relational database system, based on an existing system
design. The recommended word limit is 1,000–1,500 words, although you will not
be penalised for exceeding the total word limit
• user and technical documentation for a fully-functional system, describing how
the system works. The recommended word limit is 1,000–1,500 words, although you
will not be penalised for exceeding the total word limit.
You are required to make use of headings, paragraphs and sub-sections as
appropriate, and all work must be supported with research and referenced using an
appropriate referencing system such as Harvard. You will also need to provide a
bibliography using an appropriate referencing system such as Harvard. Inaccurate
use of referencing may lead to issues of plagiarism if not applied correctly.
Unit Learning Outcomes

LO1 Use an appropriate design tool to design a relational database system for
a substantial problem
LO2 Develop a fully-functional relational database system, based on an
existing system design
LO3 Test the system against user and system requirements
LO4 Produce technical and user documentation.

Transferable skills and competences developed

Computing-related cognitive skills

• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles
and theories relating to computing and computer applications
• Use such knowledge and understanding in the modelling and design of computer-
based systems for the purposes of comprehension, communication, prediction and
the understanding of trade-offs
• Recognise and analyse criteria and specifications appropriate to specific
problems, and plan strategies for their solutions
• Critical evaluation and testing: analyse the extent to which a computer-based system
meets the criteria defined for its current use and future development
• Methods and tools: deploy appropriate theory, practices and tools for the
design, implementation and evaluation of computer-based systems
Computing-related practical skills
• The ability to specify, design and construct reliable, secure and usable computer-
based systems
• The ability to evaluate systems in terms of quality attributes and possible trade-
offs presented within the given problem
• The ability to deploy effectively the tools used for the construction and
documentation of computer applications, with particular emphasis on understanding
the whole process involved in the effective deployment of computers to solve
practical problems
• The ability to critically evaluate and analyse complex problems, including those with
incomplete information, and devise appropriate solutions, within the constraints of
a budget.
Generic skills for employability
• Intellectual skills: critical thinking; making a case; numeracy and literacy
• Self-management: self-awareness and reflection; goal setting and action
planning Independence and adaptability; acting on initiative; innovation and
creativity
• Contextual awareness, e.g. the ability to understand and meet the needs of individuals,
business and the community, and to understand how workplaces and organisations
Vocational scenario

You have been employed as a Junior Database Developer by Alpha Technology Solutions
(ATS) Limited. ATS provides a range of desktop, web, and cloud-based design, consultancy, and
development services to small and medium-sized clients across a diverse range of business
sectors.
The client is Maple Limited* (ML), a large real-estate company that specialises in
residential, commercial and industrial properties. It has a large IT department, which supports a
range of business operations including development of raw land, property management,
brokerages, lending and other professional services such as lawyers, interior designers and
construction workers. Owing to further expansion, ML has decided to establish a dedicated IT
Helpdesk Team to handle hardware and software problems concerning the in-house IT systems.
Your role will include designing, developing and implementing database systems based on
ML requirements. You will also be responsible for optimising the database system for
performance efficiency, as well as testing and troubleshooting and performing bug fixes.
You have been given the following information about the system requirements:

ML has 6 offices across the country. Each office employing between 5 and 10 people,
who have an ID,Name, JobTitle and department (land development, property management,
brokerages, lending legal, interior designers and construction).
When a new call comes into the helpdesk, the names of the employee and helpdesk
operator are logged, along with the time of the call, the equipment number and, if relevant, the
operating system and software being used.
Their equipment will also be checked against a register of equipment to find the equipment
type and make. Their software will be checked to see if it is under a valid licence. Hardware will
be checked to see if it is still under manufacturer warranty. The equipment register contains the
following:
 office hardware: PCs, laptops, printers, peripherals, interactive whiteboards
 network hardware: routers, switches, wireless access points, firewall, cables
 software: spreadsheets, word processors, presentation software, operating systems, time
management, project management
 all relevant serial numbers, licence numbers and model details.

If the employee’s equipment has problem, it is given a problem number, date and report.
Once a problem type has been identified, the system will display a list of only those IT technicians
with the skills to solve that problem.
Different IT technicians can have different specialisms e.g. Technician A can specialize in
routers. Technician B is a specialist in printers.
When a problem is eventually resolved, the technician will log the date it is resolved, and
record some indication of how the problem was resolved and the time taken (in hours) to resolve
the problem.
The system will then need to provide the following reports to the management of ML, to see
how well the technicians and equipment are functioning:
  a summary report of the total problem and sum of the time spent on them in a given
year/month
 a summary of all the technicians’ job sheets in a given year/month, showing the technician’s
name, number of jobs worked and total time spent
 display the list of IT technicians with the skill to solve the network hardware problem
 a summary of the total number of hardware faults, time spent and number of different IT
technicians assigned.
 a summary report of the list of software faults, the time spent on each problem and IT
technicians name assigned on each problem.
The system initially does not need to model all of this data but it should contain the
basic relational database design to store a core level of pilot data and new data can
be added at a later date.

The system should use either inbuilt security functions in the software of your choosing
or it can be implemented using your own security functionality.
The system should also implement some form of database maintenance routine, that
includes:
• backing up the database
• restoring the database from the backups
• compacting the database.
The maintenance backup operations should run from a command on the main
control page and should be accessible by everyone. Restoration and compaction
of a database should be performed only by helpdesk operators.
Before beginning the implementation of the system, the boards of both ML and ATS
are interested in your designs for a relational database system, including any
user interface that you intend to produce.
Once you have implemented the database system based on your designs, the boards of
both ML and ATS are keen that the system be thoroughly tested to make sure that it
meets the ML client requirements.
Finally, ML would like to examine any user and technical documentation that you produce
so that when the database application is implemented by the ML helpdesk team, they
have a thorough understanding of not only how the system works but also how it was
designed and implemented so that they can identify any issues or further requirements.
The user documentation should clearly show how to use the system, menu operations
and system outputs, as well as other functions. Technical documentation should clearly
show the movement of data through the system.
*ATS and ML are not real companies. Real or fictitious companies can be chosen to
meet local assessment needs.

Assignment activity and guidance

Relational Database Design Document

You will create a design document for the boards of ML and ATS in which you will design a
relational database system for the given problem. You will:
• design a relational database system using appropriate design tools and techniques
• include at least four interrelated tables
• provide clear statements of user requirements
• provide clear statements of system requirements.
The comprehensive design for a fully-functional system will include:
• interface designs
• output designs
• data validation designs
• data normalisation designs.

You should then go on to the evaluate the effectiveness of the design in relation to:

• user requirements
• system requirements.

Database Development Document

You will create a database development document for the boards of ML and ATS in
which you will develop a fully-functional relational database system, based on an
existing system design. Your document will show:
• the development of the database system
• evidence of the following:
 o user interface
o output
o data validations
o querying across multiple tables
• evidence of the implementation of a query language into the relational database
system
• implementation of a fully-functional database, which includes:
o system security
o database maintenance
• an assessment of whether meaningful data has been extracted through the
use of query tools to produce appropriate management information
• testing of the system against:
o user requirements
o system requirements
• an assessment of the effectiveness of the testing
• an explanation of the choice of test data used.
Finally, your development document will evaluate the effectiveness of the database
solution in relation to user and system requirements and suggest improvements.
User and Technical Documentation
You will create user and technical documentation for the boards of ML and ATS.
The documentation of the fully functional system will describe how the system
works and should include:
• data flow diagrams
• flowcharts.
At the end of the documentation, you will evaluate the database in terms of improvements
needed to ensure the continued effectiveness of the system.
Recommended resources
Please note this is not a definitive list of resources but it will help you begin your research
by acting as a starting point of reference.

Websites
https://blog.airtable.com (2023) How to design an effective relational database
[online].Available at: https://blog.airtable.com/how-to-design-an-effective-
relational- database/ [Accessed 10 June 2024]
https://online.visual-paradigm.com (n.d.) Data Modeling: Conceptual vs Logical vs
Physical Data Model [online]. Available at: https://online.visual-
paradigm.com/knowledge/visual- modeling/conceptual-vs-logical-vs-physical-data-
model [Accessed 10 June 2024]
https://support.microsoft.com/en-GB (2022) Database design basics [online].
Available at: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/database-design-basics-
eb2159cf- 1e30-401a-8084-bd4f9c9ca1f5 [Accessed 10 June 2024]
https://www.guru99.com/ (2022) Database (Data) Testing Tutorial with Sample Test Cases
[online]. Available at: https://www.guru99.com/data-testing.html [Accessed 10 June 2024]
https://www.guru99.com/ (2022) Database Design in DBMS Tutorial: Learn
Data Modeling [online]. Available at: https://www.guru99.com/database-
design.html [Accessed 10 June 2024]
https://www.ibm.com (n.d.) What is a relational database? [online]. Available at:
https://www.ibm.com/topics/relational-databases [Accessed 10 June 2024]
https://www.integrate.io/ (2021) Complete Guide to Database Schema Design [online].
Available at: https://www.integrate.io/blog/complete-guide-to-database-schema-
design- guide/ [Accessed 10 August 2024]
https://www.lucidchart.com/pages/ (2022) Database Structure and Design Tutorial
[online]. Available at: https://www.lucidchart.com/pages/database-diagram/database-
design [Accessed 10 June 2024]
https://www.oracle.com (n.d.) What is a relational database (RDBMS)? [online].
Available at: https://www.oracle.com/uk/database/what-is-a-relational-database/
[Accessed 10 June 2024]
https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/ (2022) Database Testing Complete Guide (Why, What,
And How To Test Data) [online]. Available at: https://www.softwaretestinghelp.com/database-
testing-process/ [Accessed 10 June 2024]
https://www.w3schools.com (n.d.) SQL Tutorial [online].
Available at: https://www.w3schools.com/sql/ [Accessed 10 June 2024]
Journals and articles
Batra, D. & Davis, J. (1992). Conceptual data modelling in database design: similarities and
differences between expert and novice designers. International Journal of Man-Machine
Studies, Volume 37, Issue 1, 1992, pp. 83–101. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/0020-
7373(92)90092-Y [Accessed 10 June 2024]
Bertino, E. and Sandhu, R., 2005. Database security-concepts, approaches, and
challenges. IEEE Transactions on Dependable and secure computing, 2(1), pp.2–19.
Available at:
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/1416861 [Accessed 10 June 2024]
Chandra, A.K., 1988, March. Theory of database queries. In Proceedings of the
seventh ACM SIGACT-SIGMOD-SIGART symposium on Principles of database
systems (pp. 1–9). Available at: https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/308386.308396
[Accessed 10 June 2024]
Gunjal, B. (2003). Database System: Concepts and Design. Proceedings of 24th IASLIC–SIG-
2003. Available at:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257298522_Database_System_Concepts_and_De
sign [Accessed 10 June 2024]
Kanellakis, P. C., 1990. Elements of relational database theory. In Formal models and
semantics (pp. 1073–1156). Elsevier. Available at:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780444880741500226?via%3Dihub
[Accessed 10 June 2024]
Kaur, Taranpreet & Sehra, Sumeet Kaur. (2015). Designing and Development of
Database Testing Tool. International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887)
Volume 120 – No.19. 14. doi:10.5120/21334-4330. Available at:
https://research.ijcaonline.org/volume120/number19/pxc3904330.pdf
[Accessed 10 June 2024]
Kaur, T. & Singh B. (2003). Testing of Databases. IJISET – International Journal of
Innovative Science, Engineering & Technology, Vol. 1 Issue 6. ISSN 2348 – 7968. Available
at: https://www.ijiset.com/v1s6/IJISET_V1_I6_24.pdf [Accessed 10 June 2024]
Kraleva, Radoslava & Kralev, Velin & Sinyagina, Nina & Koprinkova-Hristova, Petia &
Bocheva, Nadejda. (2018). Design and Analysis of a Relational Database for
Behavioral Experiments Data Processing. International Journal of Online Engineering
(iJOE). 14. 117. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3991/ijoe.v14i02.7988 [Accessed 10
June 2024]
Kumar, K. and Azad, S.K., 2017, October. Database normalization design pattern. In 2017
4th IEEE Uttar Pradesh Section International Conference on Electrical, Computer and
Electronics (UPCON) (pp. 318–322). IEEE. Available at:
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/8251067 [Accessed 10 June 2024]
Letkowski, J. (2015). Doing database design with MySQL. Journal of Technology Research.
Volume 6. Available at: https://www.aabri.com/manuscripts/142002.pdf
[Accessed 10 June 2024]
Pernul, G., 1994. Database security. In advances in Computers (Vol. 38, pp. 1-72).
Elsevier. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2458(08)60175-8Bertino, E. and
Martino, L., 1991. Object-oriented database management systems: concepts and issues.
Computer, 24(4), pp.33–47. Available at:
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/76261 [Accessed 10 June 2024]
Rolik, O., Amons, O., Ulianytska, K. and Kolesnik, V., 2021. Modernization of the Second
Normal Form and Boyce-Codd Normal Form for Relational Theory. In Advances in
Computer Science for Engineering and Education III 3 (pp. 296–305). Springer International
Publishing.
Available at: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-55506-1_27
[Accessed 10 June 2024]
Textbooks
Beynon-Davies, P., 2004. Normalisation. In Database Systems (pp. 269–291).
Palgrave, London. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-0-230-00107-7_18
Captain, F. (2013) Six-Step Relational Database Design™: A step by step approach to
relational database design and development, 2nd edn, CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Platform.
Harrington, J. L., 2016. Relational database design and implementation. Morgan
Kaufmann. Harrington, J. L., 2002. Relational database design clearly explained. Elsevier.
Hernandez, M. (2003) Database Design for Mere Mortals: A Hands-On Guide to
Relational Database Design, 2nd edn, Addison Wesley.
Stephens, R. (2008) Begin Database Design W / WS (Wrox Programmer to Programmer), 1st
edn, Jossey-Bass.
Walters, R., Fritchey, G. (2012). Common Database Maintenance Tasks. In: Beginning SQL
Server 2012 Administration. Apress, Berkeley, CA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4302-3982-
6_10
HN Global
Reading lists. Available at:
https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/learning-zone/reading-lists
Student Resource Library. Available at:
https://hnglobal.highernationals.com/subjects/resource-libraries
Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

Pass Merit Distinction

LO1 Use an appropriate design tool to design a
relational database system for a substantial problem
P1 Design a relational M1 Produce a D1 Evaluate the effectiveness
database system using comprehensive design of the design in relation to
appropriate design tools for a fully-functional user and system
and techniques, system, which includes requirements.
containing at least four interface and output
interrelated tables, with designs, data validations
clear statements of user and data normalisation.
and system requirements.

LO2 Develop a fully-functional relational database

system, based on an existing system design LO2 and LO3
P2 Develop the M2 Implement a fully- D2 Evaluate the effectiveness
database system with functional database of the database solution in
evidence of user system, which includes relation to user and system
interface, output and system security and requirements and suggest
data validations, and database maintenance. improvements.
querying across multiple M3 Assess whether
tables. meaningful data has
P3 Implement a query been extracted through
language into the the use of query tools to
relational database produce appropriate
system. management information.

LO3 Test the system against user and

system requirements
P4 Test the system M4 Assess the
against user and system effectiveness of the testing,
requirements. including an explanation of
the choice of test data
used.
LO4 Produce technical and user documentation.
P5 Produce technical M5 Produce technical and D3 Evaluate the database
and user user documentation for a in terms of
documentation. fully-functional system, improvements needed to
including data flow ensure the continued
diagrams and flowcharts, effectiveness of the
describing how the system system.
works.