Software Architecture·6 min
Database Design Decisions for Early-Stage Products
By Bahaj Abderrazak·Published June 20, 2024·Updated September 3, 2026
Early data models shape everything that follows. Here is how I decide what to build now and what to defer.
Early data models shape everything that follows.
Model the Core Entities
Identify the handful of entities your product actually needs. Resist modeling every edge case on day one.
Index for Real Queries
Add indexes for the queries you run, not the ones you imagine. Measure before optimizing.
Defer Complexity
Avoid premature abstraction. A simple schema that fits the product today beats a flexible one nobody understands.
Backend DevelopmentSoftware Architecture