Choose the Second One

Voice of the DBA · Oct 23, 2026

I wonder if any of you have ever tried this. When faced with a problem, think of a solution using whatever comes to mind. For most of us in the data space, this is a SQL-based solution, hopefully a set-based on for MSSQL. For Oracle, you might approach things differently. In any case, solve the problem.

Then force yourself to imagine that you weren’t allowed to implement the first idea for some reason. No funding, no time, whatever the reason, you can’t implement it. Maybe it’s your team hates your ideas and just won’t approve the PR.

Now, come up with a second idea…