I guess there will always be differences of opnion between those who see a database as basically a data reposity for an application, versus those who see a database as collection of normalized relational entities with no functional dependency on any specific application. Considering the pace at which applications are ramped up, retrofitted, and replaced, I think it's more in the interests of the organization to build the database in a normalized fashion. The database should transcend the lifecycle of the various applications, processes, and people who revolve around it..