What is the difference between a data model and an entity relationship diagram?
An Entity-Relationship diagram (ERD) is a model of the static structure of the things about which you need to store data. A data model, technically speaking, is a broader category that encompasses ERD’s as well as several other conventions for creating diagrams of your data. The Entity-Relationship diagram, however, has become so widespread that the two terms are most often used interchangeably. Our workshop How to Model, Analyze, and Improve Business System Data presents techniques for creating and using ERD’s for identifying and defining business data requirements.
