Re: Where is DBA position in your organization?

Hello Ben,

Several places where I've worked have recognized (either formally or informally) two types of DBAs: those who manage production databases (production DBAs) and those who develop and managed development databases for new projects (development DBAs). To me, it makes sense to align production DBAs with the system admins. Development DBAs should be part of the development organization.

The reason I buy into this is that if you are a production DBA, you are administering a database system in the same sense that a system administrator manages an operating system. Your job is to keep the database running, available, stable, and backed up. You'll likely have a beeper, cell phone, and be on call occasionally. The pressures you get from a development project may conflict with the primary responsibilities that I listed earlier. It's very tempting to put aside routine tasks when a development manager is demanding a new test database tomorrow. I also think there is a mindset difference between a good production DBA and a good development DBA. So if at all possible, have two different positions.

Best regards,

Jonathan
mailto:jonathan_at_gennick.com
http://gennick.com

Friday, November 24, 2000, 9:35:23 AM, you wrote:

BP> Some feel the DBA
BP> is more closely aligned with the application
BP> development team while others want to see it
BP> placed in the server/system administration team.
BP> Where does the DBA position fit in your organization's