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This paper draws on the practical experience of CACI consultants in Europe in database design and data analysis over the past three years. It is not intended to explain in detail or to justify the particular methodology, but rather to concentrate on the practical problems that arise when undertaking data analysis and the solutions which we have found to be successful. Further, the emphasis of this paper is on the technical problems, whereas it is the political and organizational aspects which pose the greatest difficulties for the data analyst.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a summary of the whole concept of the data analysis. Data analysis can be analysed and modeled using analysis techniques such as a meta-model. Data dictionaries attempt to provide a design solution for the meta-model—they are the implemented solutions to the requirements. Any entity model of the project life-cycle which is produced will be dependent on the concepts and techniques used. In fact, the model is a part of a much larger model which covers all of the analysis, design, construction, implementation, and production tasks. The chapter discusses a detailed description of data analysis model. It can be seen that every concept and deliverable is describable using an entity model that could, in turn, be used to produce a designed system—an advanced data dictionary or system engine. This summary completes the description of the facts that have to be collected during entity or data analysis.

National and international statistical bureaus produce ca. 25000 tables for publication each year, based on hundreds of inter-related object-types with thousand of attributes. It would appear that this environment should be well suited to the application of data base management techniques for the administration of the data.

The entity simulation model described in this publication is an initial product of the operations research efforts conducted by the Statistical Research and Analysis Division, BESRL under SIMPO-I Task. The model was designed for integration into the more generalized SIMPO-I simulation package for evaluation of personnel and manpower policy alternatives across the Army's major personnel functions. The entity model concentrates on the procurement, selection, and allocation aspects of the personnel system. The SIMPO-I, when completed, will consist of a relatively comprehensive computerized model of the Army personnel subsystem--incorporating a simulation model and a library of computer programs. Other modules to be developed, have appropriate interfaces with the entity module, will be concerned with such personnel functions as distribution, tour rotation, promotion, and training. Representative applications of an entity model in a simulated system are discussed. A detailed description of the general simulation program is given together with a manual for use of the program in the Appendix to the report.