Physical data model

A physical data model (a.k.a. database design) is a representation of a data design which takes into account the facilities and constraints of a given database management system. In the lifecycle of a project it is typically derived from a logical data model, though it may be reverse-engineered from a given database implementation. A complete physical data model will include all the database artefacts required to create relationships between tables or achieve performance goals, such as indexes, constraint definitions, linking tables, partitioned tables or clusters. The physical data model can usually be used to calculate storage estimates and may include specific storage allocation details for a given database system.