The original version of this exercise has been created for (and tried out successfully at) the Data Modeling Meetup Munich (DM3). It has been adapted slightly to take into account recent economic developments.

The exercise works best with small groups (at least 3, not more than 6 people). If possible, split your team in multiple groups (at least 2, not more than 4). Then, you can discuss and compare the results from the different groups afterwards.

Pills in four colors

By Ragesoss [CC BY-SA], via Wikimedia Commons

Case Study

DocBrown is a growing online pharmacy that operates in several European countries.

Customers can order both prescription drugs (that require a prescription from a physician) and over-the-counter drugs (that are freely available). Depending on the customer’s home country and type of health insurance, prescription drugs might be paid directly by the customer’s insurer (as opposed to the customer). Because of inventory issues, one order might be fulfilled in multiple shipments.

During the COVID-19 crisis, DocBrown’s business has become significantly larger but also more volatile, making timely and accurate reporting more important than ever. This means there is now both the budget and the need for a data warehouse base on core business concepts. This is where you come in.

Possible Core Business Concepts

• Customer
• Drug
• Insurer
• Order
• Physician
• Prescription
• Shipment

Exercise

As a group, create the backbone of a data vault model (hubs and links) for DocBrown on a whiteboard, flipchart or online canvassing tool. Use the list of possible core business concepts as an inspiration for your hubs. You have 15 minutes.