Thanks for the article. It brought back a lot of memories of times when I've had such request.

I agree with Steve's comments. Most of the time when I've been asked to run these types of query with this little notice it is for an urgent business need and usually from a 3rd party database like of of the ones he listed.

I've also had request like this happen to data platforms that I have limited experience in like mysql. Sometimes it is to verify something that a business analyst is saying to an Executive. Sometimes they go to the DBA because of a relationship of trust that has been built up over time and they need a 2nd opinion.

The only caution here is that if they keep comming to the DBA for AD-hoc queries they stop relying on the B/As and your job could turn from being a DBA to being a Hybrid DBA/analyst. Knowing how and when to say no is a learned skill. If you always just say no, which a lot of DBAs do, then there may be missed opportunities for you and for the company. If you say yes too often then they'll come to you every day at 4pm and you'll be working past midnight. IMHO.