How do you coordinate with web developers and stakeholders to store and retrieve data for your web app?

1 Define your data model

The first step is to define your data model, which is the structure and logic of how your data is organized and related. You should consult with your web developers and stakeholders to understand the requirements and expectations of your web app, such as what data you need to store, how often you need to update it, and how you want to query it. You should also consider the scalability, security, and performance of your data model, and choose the appropriate tools and technologies to implement it.

2 Choose your data storage

The next step is to choose your data storage, which is the physical location and format of your data. Depending on your data model and web app functionality, you may need to use different types of data storage, such as relational databases, NoSQL databases, cloud storage, or local storage. You should compare the advantages and disadvantages of each option, and evaluate their compatibility, cost, availability, and reliability. You should also communicate with your web developers and stakeholders to ensure that your data storage meets their needs and expectations.

3 Design your data access layer

The third step is to design your data access layer, which is the interface and logic of how your web app interacts with your data storage. You should use a consistent and standardized approach to access and manipulate your data, such as using a framework, a library, or an API. You should also follow the principles of separation of concerns, modularity, and abstraction, to make your code easier to maintain, test, and debug. You should also coordinate with your web developers and stakeholders to ensure that your data access layer supports the features and functionalities of your web app.

4 Implement your data validation

The fourth step is to implement your data validation, which is the process and logic of ensuring that your data is correct, consistent, and secure. You should validate your data at different levels, such as at the client-side, the server-side, and the database level. You should also use various techniques, such as input sanitization, error handling, encryption, and authentication, to prevent data corruption, manipulation, or loss. You should also collaborate with your web developers and stakeholders to ensure that your data validation meets the standards and regulations of your web app domain.

5 Test your data flow

The fifth step is to test your data flow, which is the sequence and logic of how your data moves from one point to another in your web app. You should test your data flow at different stages, such as during development, deployment, and operation. You should also use various methods, such as unit testing, integration testing, and load testing, to verify the functionality, performance, and reliability of your data flow. You should also involve your web developers and stakeholders in the testing process, to get their feedback and suggestions for improvement.

6 Monitor your data quality

The final step is to monitor your data quality, which is the measure and evaluation of how well your data meets the requirements and expectations of your web app. You should monitor your data quality on a regular basis, using tools and metrics, such as dashboards, reports, and alerts. You should also analyze your data quality, using techniques, such as data profiling, data cleansing, and data auditing, to identify and resolve any issues or anomalies. You should also communicate with your web developers and stakeholders, to report and discuss your data quality results and actions.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?