Hi. I'm Scott

DBMS_DATAPUMP exposes all the functionality available via the  impdp and expdp commands available from a command prompt. Most of the time, access is limited to these commands, because they are owned by the 'oracle' user. However, this functionality can be exposed, to users and external programs without forcing them into command-line tools. Use Case Developers are requesting schema refreshes from production all the time and complaining that they aren't fast enough. It's also a time sink, even for the most junior DBA. This is a case for automation, but how? Prerequistes Create a schema specific for containing objects necessary for these types of self-service operations. I like 'MYDBA' (Q: Can you do this? A:Why don't you ask MYDBA.) or can you give this schema a character name, like Orko .(exec ORKO.REFRESH_SCHEMA()) Additionally, a database link is created from the refresh target, to the source. Ideally, this will be a private database link. In my

So, even if we have a goal plan, as a leader, how do you follow-up? It's all about the meetings. I have a weekly one-on-one meeting for 20 minutes with each direct report. I've told each of them, that the first meeting of the month will be devoted to Goals. They are to bring their plans, and be prepared to discuss what they are doing to meet them. Really, 12 follow-ups towards goals should be enough. It also allows time to adjust, refine, add or even subtract goals throughout the year. Quarterly, mid-year and annual review of goals become significantly easier as they are just an extension of the monthly status meetings. Then your schedule looks like this: Goal Planning and Review Schedule January Goal initialization February Goal follow-up March Q1 Review and refine April Goal follow-up May Goal follow-up June Q2 Review and refine July Goal follow-up August Goal follow-up September Q3 Review and refine October Goal follow-up November Goal follow-up Decem

Last August, I accepted a new role as a people leader, in addition to my role as technologist. One of my new responsibilities is to lead the goal setting process, and then coach throughout the year to make sure these goals are tracked and met. In my 8+ years of time at my current organization, we have consistently done a poor job of career management and goal setting. So, my 2016 goal is to make it better.  To that end, I'm documenting my high level goals that I'm going to cascade to my direct reports and my plan to follow-up throughout the year.  High Level Organizational Goals Improve Cost Efficiency of team Deliver Critical Projects Career Goals Professional Development Goal Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Goal The high-level org goals are pretty generic and should encompass 90% of daily work, which is 'okay'. The Career Goals should be aligned with the individuals career aspirations. With these goals, I'm challenging them to take 10% of their wor