The technique of entity model summarizing is a method of subsetting an entity relationship model and of re-forming subject areas from the model.
When an entity relationship model is constructed it often contains a large number of entity types. This is difficult to present as a whole. Entity model summarizing is a technique for abstracting subject areas from an entity relationship model, and identifying the subject entity types. The abstraction can be repeated, giving a hierarchy of progressively summarized objects, until a level is reached which is suitable for presentation. This information can also be used in planning for Business System Design.
The technique is a form of "clustering by association" as in grouping by cluster analysis since it can provide a basis for splitting a business area to allow analysis by separate project teams and for subsequently controlling the results. A summarized entity relationship model is easier to maintain and use than an unsummarized model.
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Section Overview : Entity Model Summarizing Technique
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