Clear definitions
Agree what each record means, who maintains it and which system owns it.
Good systems start
with good connections.
A customer, a job, an invoice. Give each record a proper home, then connect the work around it.
CustomersCustomer IDPKNameContact
JobsJob IDPKCustomer IDFKStage
InvoicesInvoice IDPKJob IDFKStatus
Before the screensOne source.
One source.
Many useful views.
A dashboard, a mobile app and an automated invoice should read from the same reliable records.
Data modelling defines what each thing is, how it relates to the next and which rules keep the information consistent.
Built around the work.
These are illustrative starting models. Select an industry to see the relationships and questions it can support.
12 tables / Illustrative model
Know which jobs actually make you money
A complete data structure for plumbers, electricians, builders, and other trades. It connects customers, quotes, jobs, materials, time tracking, and invoices.
- True job profitability (not just revenue)
- Quote vs actual comparison
- Customer lifetime value
- Material waste tracking
- Time efficiency per job type
CustomersCustomer IDPKNameContact
JobsJob IDPKCustomer IDFKStage
InvoicesInvoice IDPKJob IDFKStatus
One record for each thing.
Clear relationships between them.
Clear relationships between them.
15 tables / Illustrative model
Patient records, appointments, and billing, all connected
A patient-centric data model for private clinics, therapists, and healthcare providers, covering first contact through treatment to billing.
- Complete patient history view
- Treatment outcome tracking
- Practitioner utilisation
- Revenue per treatment type
- Patient retention analysis
PatientsPatient IDPKNameContact
AppointmentsAppointment IDPKPatient IDFKDate
TreatmentsTreatment IDPKAppointment IDFKType
One record for each thing.
Clear relationships between them.
Clear relationships between them.
14 tables / Illustrative model
See exactly how profitable each client really is
A client and project-centric model for agencies, consultancies, and professional services. It tracks time, deliverables, and true profitability.
- Client profitability (not just revenue)
- Project scope creep detection
- Resource utilisation rates
- Pipeline and forecast accuracy
- Team productivity metrics
ClientsClient IDPKNameContact
ProjectsProject IDPKClient IDFKBudget
Time entriesEntry IDPKProject IDFKHours
One record for each thing.
Clear relationships between them.
Clear relationships between them.
8 tables / Illustrative model
Turn enquiries into customers without losing a single lead
A lead-to-customer model for any business that markets and sells. It connects sources, campaigns, leads, deals, and follow-up activity so nothing slips and every channel is measured.
- Each lead source's true ROI
- Conversion rate at every stage
- Cost per acquisition
- Follow-up that never slips
- Forecasting from real pipeline data
LeadsLead IDPKSource IDStage
DealsDeal IDPKLead IDFKValue
ActivitiesActivity IDPKDeal IDFKNext action
One record for each thing.
Clear relationships between them.
Clear relationships between them.
The rules matter, too.
Controlled access
Design appropriate access and handling for the information your team uses.
Useful reporting
Start with the decisions you need to make, then connect the records that answer them.
A useful first conversationBring us the
Bring us the
messy bit.
Tell Adam what takes too long, what keeps going wrong, or what you wish your systems could do.
Let’s make sense of itadam@dicekey.co.ukSmall fixes welcome. Bigger ideas too.