What Should A DBA Be Doing?

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What Should A DBA Be Doing?

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noeld SSC Guru Points: 96590 More actions · Answer 1

I have always done *many* unanticipated activities for the benefit of the company I work for but it has always been as temporary basis. This situation should never be unbalanced and if/when it happens you should ... sp_update_resume followed by sp_distribute_resume 🙂

* Noel

Ivan el terrible Valued Member Points: 67 More actions · Answer 2

Well you do what you have and sometimes what you must do to get it working. People that are at the lower levels do not get it (majority of them anyway, have had good assistants too) that what they do directly affects you and the train derails from a tiny stone on the rails. The funny thing is when I get called for question of something that has nothing to do, even remotely, with my job, but in overall helps the place move ahead and there is more money to spend on new things. I have had times when I have sat up my developers machines as otherwise my support staff creates a mess out of this world and I end up wasting more time trying to keep the flood. Now from bottom line stand point it looks like it’s a waste of time, however I have found that at key issues being prepared and getting it done myself have saved a lot of time and my sanity … if any left anyways.

Pam Brisjar SSChampion Points: 12094 More actions · Answer 3

Being willing to do unanticipated activities outside of my "job description" is what led me to where I am today. If I hadn't been willing to pitch in and learn new skills, I would never have discovered my affinity for the database side of matters.

I'm now a highly skilled, highly paid, very happy consultant. No way would I be here without that flexibility.

jay-h SSCoach Points: 18816 More actions · Answer 4

It's not aways a good idea to drag someone in for every 20 minute job that needs attention. Swapping out a HD or similar may be less than glamorous, but getting it done now is worth more than getting it done later, and the difference in pay rates is really inconsequential.

Of course it can be abused, but really the most valuable employees are those that are flexible enough to fill in the gaps, even it's outside their job description.

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-- FORTRAN manual for Xerox Computers --

SuperDBA-207096 SSCrazy Eights Points: 8176 More actions · Answer 5

My 02c... whatever the client or supervisor needs....

I have a friend who worked at a bank as a DBA. one day a month they had to go and answer the phone for people calling in for credit card balances, etc. In fact everyone there had to do it, programmers, dba's business people, etc. tell me that wasn't a waste of talent and $$$!

Mark