Rules to Better SQL Server Schema Deployment

• Do you make deploying easy?
• Do you know the best tools for updating database schemas?
• Do you have a "Schema Master"?
• Do you have an understanding of 'schema changes' and their increasing complexity?
• Do you show what version the App is, and what version the Database is?
• Do you save each script as you go?
• Do you know why you shouldn't compare schemas during deployment?
• The application – Do you make the app do the work?
• Do you ignore Idempotency?
• Do you check your "Controlled Lookup Data" (aka Reference Data) is still there?
• Do you deploy "Controlled Lookup Data" ?
• Do you understand a data type change = "Data Motion Scripts"?
• Do you validate each "Denormalized Field"?
• Do you make sure that the database structure is handled automatically via 3 buttons "Create", "Upgrade" and "Reconcile"?
• The application - Do you understand the danger, and change permissions so "Schema Changes" can only be done by the "Schema Master"?