What does a logical data model represent?

A logical data model serves as an essential blueprint that outlines the data elements and their relationships within a system, independent of how the data is physically stored or accessed. It focuses on what the data is and how various entities interact with each other, abstracting away implementation details. This model uses concepts such as entities, attributes, and relationships to describe the structure required to support business processes and requirements. It enables database designers and stakeholders to communicate effectively about the data requirements without getting bogged down by technical specifics.

By concentrating on the logical structure rather than physical considerations, it aids in ensuring that all necessary data relationships and constraints are captured, which is fundamental for creating an efficient and coherent database schema later on. The logical data model is crucial for validating business rules and ensuring all aspects of data handling align with organizational needs before proceeding to a physical data model, which would outline actual storage specifics.