When presenting data models to business stakeholders, start with their business processes rather than technical details. Ask them to walk through their core workflows - this creates natural openings to explain how data modeling connects their processes. Avoid technical terms like "entities" or "cardinality" - use business language like "business units" and "connections." When explaining detail levels, relate it to their decision-making hierarchy. Tips: - Start with their process, not your data model - Use their business language, avoid jargon - Explain through workflow, not diagrams - Focus on business outcomes and decisions - Only detail when asked Remember: Your goal isn't to teach data modeling. Help them to enable business outcomes.

When you have a lot of data it's like having a lot of plums. Sure, you can eat some and it's nice for a while, but they get stale quickly and there's not much you can do with it. But! Plums can change form into rakija and rakija gets only better over time and you can do so much with it. That's why real analysts do data modeling. And drink rakija.

To explain data modelling to stakeholders i would simply cut out the technical jargon and focus on explaining the business value delivered by good data modelling. Some of the perceived business benefits of data modelling are a single source of truth avoiding confusion on numbers and other metrics across departments and easier and intuitive business reports. A good data model could give even business users an understanding on the data giving them the confidence to build reports on their own using tools like power bi or tableau.

Data modeling is planning how data is arranged and connected in a system, just like an architect’s plan for a building. It helps everyone understand how data moves and works together, making it easier to manage and use.

I'll take it a step further, and try to explain data modeling to a toddler: Lets say the infant has a pile of different toys, like cars, dolls, cars and so on. The objective is to organize the toys, putting each category into one pile, a pile of cars, a pile of dolls, etc. Then you could create a list of your toys : 3 cars, 4 dolls, etc. Lastly you could even make connections such as, the spiderman doll can only ride the toy ambulance and so on. So, data modeling is like organizing your toys into groups, making lists about them, and figuring out how they are connected

To explain data modeling to people without a technical background, start with simple comparisons, like thinking of a database as a library that organizes and stores information. Use visual tools like diagrams to show how different data pieces connect with each other. Avoid using technical terms; instead, speak in plain language that everyone can understand. Real-life examples and made-up situations can help make the ideas more relatable. You can also use interactive tools and hands-on activities to make learning more engaging.

Data Modeling: It’s like creating a blueprint for a building—it lays out the design before construction begins, ensuring everything fits together seamlessly Why is DM Important? Clear Structure: It organizes data so it’s easy to understand and retrieve. Efficiency: A well-designed model helps systems run faster and more accurately. Consistency: Prevents duplication or errors in data storage. Scalability: Adapts easily as the business grows or evolves. Example: we want to track customers, orders, and products. Quickly see how easily you ca answer questions like below 1.What’s our top-selling product?' Avoid costly errors (e.g., billing the same customer twice). or you want to see what a customers bought last month, it’s easy to retrieve.

Explain the benefits of data modeling in terms they care about: Efficiency: "It ensures we don’t duplicate work—like storing customer details in ten different places." Clarity: "It makes sure everyone understands where to find the information they need Scalability: "If we need to expand, we have a clear structure, so adding a new type of data is easier." Provide a Real-Life Example Show how the model supports their goals: For Marketing: "This structure lets us see which customers placed the most orders, so we can target promotions effectively." For Finance: "It helps track orders and payments without missing details."