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 Database Planning Questionnaire.

Not sure where to start, try our planning questionnaire. Every business is different and every program unique. Thus, our questionnaire is only a starting point. We have compiled these questions after years of work with clients.

This list is provided free to anyone. Feel free to print the list and distribute as you like.

General Questions:

  • What is the main function of your company?

  • Do you presently have a database that performs the function you are looking for?

  • What is the main purpose of the database?

  • What is the main item the database will track?

  • Will the database process information such as customer names, addresses and phone numbers?

  • Will the database process financial information such as POs, invoices, accounts payable or receivables?

  • Do you have a budget for your project?

  • What software does you company presently use?

  • Does your company have hardware support?

  • Does your company have internal M.I.S.?

  • Does your company have external M.I.S. support?

Programming Questions:

  • Do you need to use a particular database software package? If so, why?

  • Do you need to use a particular programming language? If so, why?

  • Do you need to use the database on a Macintosh?

  • Do you need to use the database on a Unix machine?

  • Do you need to use the database on a Microsoft Windows machine? If so what version of Windows?

  • Do you need to interact with other software packages? If so, what packages?

  • Will the database need to send or receive information from other databases?

Connectivity Questions:

  • Will the database be used on a network in one building? (Local Area Network)

  • Will the database be used by multiple offices in different geographical areas or multiple buildings? (Wide Area Network)

  • Will the database be used over the Internet?

  • If used on the Internet will there be a Virtual Private Network? (V.P.N.)

  • Will the database be used over a private internet with browsers? (Intranet)

  • Will the database be installed on a dedicated server? Not a workstation but a machine with a network operating system.

  • Will the server be using Novell Netware?

  • Will the server be using the Unix or Linux operating system?

  • Will the server be using Windows NT or Windows 2000?

  • Will the server be Macintosh?

  • Will the database be accessed through phone lines or dedicated lines?

  • Will the database be used on just one computer?

  • Will the database be used on several computers with no dedicated server in what is called a peer-to-peer arrangement.

Distribution Questions:

  • Will you be reselling or providing the database to other companies or customers?

  • Will you provide technical support for the companies or customers?

  • Will you provide manuals for end users?

  • Will you need to distribute periodic upgrades?

  • Will you require help screens?

Skill Level Questions:

  • Are you M.I.S. or I.T. staff?

  • Are you a programmer?

  • Are you a power user?

  • Are you an average user?

  • Are you an end user of the database?

  • Do you know how to build queries?

  • Do you know how to build reports?

  • Do you understand the term ad-hock query and reporting?

  • Do you understand relational databases?

  • Have you ever used O.D.B.C.

  • Have you ever heard of an Entity Relationship Diagram?

  • What is the skill level of the end users? High, Medium, or Low.

  • Will end users require training?

  • Will you provide training?

 
 

 

London and UK Internet Consultants specialising in Internet Marketing, E-Commerce and Advertising