Re: Generating ERDs from Conceptual or Physical Design?

[Peter Brawley]

Generally, a database design maps all details of a requirement to a new database structure. An ERD shows the developing result, but doesn't show how accurately ERD elements relate to the requirement. That needs explicit step-by-step testing and documentation, so even in small projects, IMO, you need to be developing a four-part document that lays out the requirement, mapping of that requirement to DDL and DML (including all expectable queries), test results of the mapping, and the ERD, which will be useful as documentation both for your team and for the client.