The Striking Metamorphosis of the DBA Role: a Remote DBA Expert’s Insider Perspective

The responsibilities of a database administrator are continually shifting, resulting in significant implications for organizations and the employees recruited for this role. Although the core aspect of a DBA’s roles has remained the same, developments affecting organizational and database management operations mean that DBA employees have to undertake other duties that would be considered non-traditional.

When database management first became a crucial part of organizational operations, being a DBA meant that you were responsible for smooth operational database functionality. The job needed you to respond to database problems and proactively prevent other sources of inefficiencies and lags in an organization’s databases. In addition, you would participate in decision making, especially concerning the acquisition of database-related products.

What Has Changed?

The aforementioned roles remain a key part of a DBA’s job responsibilities and daily activities, with expanding needs such as big data and associated data analytics making database administration even more crucial. However, the responsibilities of a DBA have evolved beyond ensuring optimal and efficient database performance to encompass the following aspects.

• IT-related roles– As a DBA, you will find yourself having to share expertise and provide solutions on related IT issues, such as networking and network security. You should not be surprised to find yourself expected to be proficient in big data, cross-analytics and programming among other areas that may not necessarily concern the database system.
• Business-related roles-Beyond IT issues, the modern DBA is expected to have a significant understanding of business-related issues. You will find yourself having to participate in business decision-making processes relating to both database management and other wider issues.

The Implications of Such Role Metamorphosis for Database Experts

Although taking up such non-traditional roles may appear to exacerbate an already challenging traditional DBA role, the opportunity to develop into a more valuable employee provides a highly welcome silver lining. Heightened comprehension of IT-related and wider business issues will make you an indispensable part of the organization, besides allowing you to participate in strategic decision-making processes.

The evolution of the DBA role also means that a database expert needs to be an enthusiastic lifelong learner. Such qualities will help you stay in touch with the latest developments not only in database management, but also in IT issues and relevant business aspects.

Whereas such developments and expectations are blurring the definition of a DBA employee, they have also resulted in well-rounded individuals with diverse abilities, strong communication skills, admirable understanding of business and ever-increasing value for organizations.