mosaic-287947 (3/25/2014)
It seems to me that schemas need to be part of the initial database design and will be used mainly for larger databases that need a formal design phase.
It certainly helps to have a design phase.
Many departmental databases started life as someone's informal personal project and are unlikely to have well thought-out schemas. And once they are in general use it is almost impossible to retro-fit schemas without breaking the automation and reporting scripts that will have sprung up around it.
Yes it can be difficult, but also well worth while to implement. Leave it too late and it can be even more problematic.