Interesting thoughts that I read at Oracle Forum Thread given by Billy Verreynne:

Many years ago when doing a Data Warehouse the client wanted to insist on controlling the physical design of the database. I was very blunt. Told them that they are contracting me (and others) to do this design for them.. and if they honestly think that business people with NO KNOWLEDGE about Oracle, RDBMS design or data warehousing can dictate technical design issues, then they do not need me, or any of the other contractors.

It worked for me and they never attempted to interfere with the technical aspects of that data warehouse’s design and implemention.

Today I hold this view even firmer. A client or user DOES NOT dictate any technical issues to me. They state their requirements and we design the technical solution to meet those requirements.

I do not tell them how to run their business. They do not tell me how to do mine. Because as soon as you do, you are at the mercy of end-user whims.. by people that are totally clueless about the technical issues involved.. or worse, that have just a slight idea, not realising that a bit of knowledge in the mind of the ignorant is even more dangerous than not knowing at all.