DBA career development path: go under "IOE" and other challenges, DBA will go from here?

Begins

As in recent years, open source, automation, the rise of the cloud, DBA occupations quietly some changes. I often have friends advice, career development planning; especially after Oracle's recent massive layoffs, the future of the profession for the DBA how to develop? This article is the personal view of some of this issue, only for your reference!

Data is the core

The DBA word break it down. Corresponding

Operation objects: data
Operating media: Library
Operations Role: Administrator

The core here is the data, but also the role DBA greatest value. Data they know best, most understand the value of data; therefore some directions DBA can follow the development, has been largely associated with data.

In addition, there must be more understanding of the macro data, whether it is the company's own data, or obtained externally; both relational data, or other modes of data; whether it is stored in a database, or other media such as logs, the data companies are very valuable, to the data as an "asset" to manage. Only rise to such heights, the value of data-related positions will stand out.

Different stages, different focus

Different levels of enterprise data applications, resulting focus of work and job requirements are different. The following simple description at all levels:

Level 1, is the main database maintenance, common manifestation is "fireman" type. Many start-ups have gone through this process. The basic database maintenance by the people, with the increase in operation and maintenance of body mass, require linear increase staff. The overall level of application data, basically in a simple and extensive.
Level 2, is still the main database maintenance, but has formed a relatively complete system operation and maintenance. In addition to the basic operation and maintenance, and even consider some preventive measures to improve the overall efficiency of operation and maintenance. Construction System at this stage, often through documents, operation and maintenance platform settle down. As an infrastructure database layer, it can already provide better data storage, computing power output. But not yet at this stage from a higher point of view to consider the data problem, it is still limited to operation and maintenance level.
Level III data design application stage, the enterprise no longer satisfied with simple data "access class" demand, but from a higher point of view of the application, consider how to improve the overall level of data applications. This phase will increase the database schema, designed to strengthen the business-side data optimization. To increase the performance of the role of DBA product, increase the weights and other database schema.
Level four stages of data management architecture, not only from an enterprise application, to consider certain lines of business data issues, but the company's overall level do top-level design data. Consider the establishment of specialized agencies (such as the Data Committee) or post - Chief Data Officer (CDO). In recent years, quite hot "data sets", it is to cater to the needs arising.

Basic operation and maintenance work, tedious boring

Operation and maintenance work as the basis of class, requires that the database is relatively high. The figure simple list of some of the work, the daily tedious work of DBA is evident. It is based on this platform, automated, cloud-oriented demands are constantly being made. Thus indirectly DBA's ability to put forward higher requirements.

DBA functions, up evolution

Based on the above data are talking about the application level, internal correspondence DBA also assumed the functions of several categories. Bottom-up data physical structure, logical architecture and business architecture. Company-level application level, but also determines the proportion of DBA work all kinds of different emphasis. With the increasing level of corporate data applications, DBA should also focus gradually shifted to the lower middle and upper classes.

Physical data structure, corresponding to the "operation and maintenance DBA", the focus of work for the construction of infrastructure.
Logical data structure, corresponding to as "Product DBA", focus for the database schema, SQL schema design and quality issues.
Data services architecture, corresponds to "data architect -DA", focus is data governance, management class work.

DBA facing the impact of continued

In recent years, DBA jobs severely impact of some, I picked a few of its important instructions.

Go IOE, Ali, first proposed "to the IOE" is called. It proposes, for the first time allow people to comprehend, the core enterprise applications can not rely on traditional foreign large commercial databases, and then propose a new idea.
Open source and commercial, corporate different stages of development, there is a similar chart on the benefit / cost curve for open source software or commercial use. When developed to a certain stage, is the need to consider the introduction of open source. Business strategy from a technical point of view, to consider this issue.
"Four modernizations" basic database operation and maintenance work, experienced the stages of development from the manual, scripts, tools and platforms. Its development characteristics performance of the "four modernizations" (platform, visualization, automation and intelligence). This development has created some changes in the direction of the DBA skill requirements, especially for the development of skills required has become a necessary condition.
Cloud is the future direction of development. From a global perspective, the database accounted for cloud ecology at 8%, is expected in the next 3 to 5 years, it will increase to 20% to 30%. This is undoubtedly a huge leap forward. For the DBA, the database work in the cloud is different from the traditional environment, the need to adapt in many ways, focus should be adjusted.

OR Technology Management

DBA career development, upward facing first option is the development direction, the route is to take management or technical route. The figure for everyone to describe the differences between the two different directions, according to their individual qualities, condemnation. Here we must avoid a misunderstanding, that is "to manage the" this is actually a manifestation of official standard thought. Not everyone is suited to managing routes in an inappropriate position on human development is a kind of destruction.

Objective judgment, admitted limit

After a clear development path, we need to be judged on their stage of development. Both technical and management, there is such a theory of evolution, that is, the move towards the advanced stage, the higher the rate of elimination. Be objective, rational understanding of the stages own position. Can also be seen from the above ratio, and went to higher-order positions are in the minority. Although a number of ways (later talks to) make a breakthrough, but there are still a large probability can not achieve the objectives. At this time, we must have the courage to admit it, adjust their career orientation, seeking a new direction.

The height and breadth of the global thinking +

Achieve career breakthrough, there are two small suggestions.

Height and breadth. In the early career development, we need to have a fast-growing "primitive accumulation period." Here comes the primitive accumulation, not wealth, but technical skills. To a certain specific areas, try to reach the high point of their technology. When there will be a certain point, you have been unable to break through to a higher level, to analyze the reasons carefully. As did non-subjective reasons, we should readily accept it. The remaining technological developments, consider horizontal development, is about to itself as "T-shaped" talent. Speaking above the high point is very important, it will determine your technology "vision."
Global thinking. That is not only from a technical point of view to consider the issue, especially after reaching a certain height, you can try more problems from a business perspective, before facing the human point of view, maybe you will have a new discovery. Global thinking, will help you find the choke point of the original stages of development, to achieve a breakthrough.

DBA career choice route

Speaking in front of a lot, so what career direction DBA may consider it? The following attempts to give some of the possible options. Here are just given my choice based on their own areas of familiar, does not mean all of them.

Select: database technology, database services

Database Technology. This is a relatively easy choice, that continued to improve yourself in a database field, in order to achieve a higher goal. Career orientation chief DBA, DBA experts. If we consider this direction, it is recommended to consider B or cloud vendors, because they are more demanding of the technology itself. Party role is limited to their own environment, it is generally difficult to have a breakthrough technology requires constant atmosphere.
Database business. The database technology and business combined projection data capabilities in a business field. This is a need to polish the industry for many years, to fully understand their business characteristics, and constantly abstract their data requirements. This direction may be considered the head of the company or industry is an industry designed for ISV services.

Select: kernel development, database schema

Database kernel development, is a relatively "small minority" of a class of personnel needs, generally only large enterprise / cloud vendor or database vendor will take care settings. Its highly professional staff quality requirements are also higher. Some companies recommend choosing a high starting point, it is advantageous for individual long-term career development.
Database architect, this post is a relatively comprehensive class. "Architecture" means vague, positioning of each business architect role is also different. Generally consider setting up a database architect role of enterprises, have a certain scale, enterprise data applications more complex situation. Here's where my real scene, tries to give a database architect of skills profiles for your reference.

One of the words: Database Architect skills map

The figure listed on the database architect itself requires 12 basic capability requirements, the ability of the different requirements, I illustrated by the pie chart on the left side of the ratio of the size. Of course, people can meet all the requirements, very few. According to the company focused, trade-offs. Skill requirements described above can be broadly divided into four categories:

Data their skills, such as databases, big data, data governance, such as the warehouse number
Skills related areas, such as infrastructure, cloud, containers, etc.
R & D direction skills, such as DevOps, etc.
Integrated skills classes, such as business thinking, soft skills (such as communication skills)

Select: data architecture, data products

Data architecture, different from the "database schema." Data architecture, more emphasis on top-level design, the need for global thinking on data to help businesses do a good job overall data planning and design work. It is not rigidly adhere to a technology, but rather focus on data integration, security, sharing, questions the value of assets.
Data products, but also a comprehensive jobs. We need to have some in-depth understanding of the technology itself, but more emphasis on the breadth of its technology. Also we need to have a product of thinking, can business requirements, functional design is converted to product.

Select: Solution architecture, database preacher

Solution architecture, is often reflected in the role of "pre-architecture", "technology consultant" and so on. The core point is to have a certain technical capacity at the same time, but also a party thinking, able to understand the user pain points, from a technical point of view to help customers solve the existing problems. Here is not only to sell their products, more importantly, bring value to the customer.
Database preacher, a few choice can only be before considering staff for certain technical influence. They tend to choose a freelancer.

Select: data management, data warehouse

Data governance is a relatively "huge" project. With the emphasis on enterprise data is growing, the job has become more important. Its emphasis on several key process areas of activity, enhance the overall level of enterprise data applications. Legend DAMA process area of the right given for your reference.
Data warehouse, is in a transition position, the number of traditional warehouse practice, there is no longer suited to modern business requirements. But the core data modeling theory, still have instructive. So the major Internet companies, have a few practice their positions rather special. Manufacturers or industry can be considered as the head of customer choice.

Select: big data, operation and maintenance Development

Large data, visible as large "DBA", the big data sense the art is also a database. Of course, it has its own characteristics, performance dispersion technology, rapid change, there is no uniform standard, there are certain requirements for R & D capability.
DevOps, operation and maintenance development. Suitable for a certain R & D-based DBA choice.

Select: project management, technology management

Project management, DBA is a more comprehensive job in communication, coordination, organization, and project management have similar place. Therefore, we can consider a transition to project management class positions.
Technical fields related to technical management, DBA positions of broader, such as a little attention can be studied under many related fields. This type of technology management skills demands, there is a certain similarity. Coupled with its demand for soft skills, management techniques can be considered as a development direction. In the circle, but also found that senior management, DBA are born, not without some truth.

Written in the last

Face a future full of uncertainty, the only certainty is change. Let us embrace change, trying to change their own today!

Content Source: Han Feng teacher to share ACMUG Salon (Beijing Railway Station), the public starting number - Han Feng Channels, welcome attention.

CreditEase Institute of Technology