Time-Series, Document, or Relational? The 5-Question Test Every New Project Needs

📰 Dev.to · Gabriel Anhaia

Determine the right database type for your project by answering 5 key questions about write shape, read pattern, and ops headcount

intermediate Published 26 Apr 2026
Action Steps
  1. Assess your write shape: Determine if your data is primarily time-series, document-based, or relational
  2. Evaluate your read pattern: Consider how your application will query and retrieve data
  3. Estimate your ops headcount: Calculate the number of operations personnel required to manage the database
  4. Consider data complexity: Think about the structure and relationships between your data entities
  5. Apply the 5-question test: Use the answers to these questions to determine the best database type for your project
Who Needs to Know This

Developers, data architects, and project managers can benefit from this approach to choose the optimal database for their project, ensuring efficient data management and scalability

Key Insight

💡 The right database choice depends on write shape, read pattern, and ops headcount

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Choose the right database for your project with the 5-question test! 📊💻
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