This is my second month in the Blackbaud commuity; I work for a large private school and support the RE database for our Development Office.
I have previous experience working with large database [other platforms] SAS, 4th Dimension, Access, etc.

The database was setup before I started working in this dept. and many users have experience varying from 1 yr. to 8 yrs. 
I need to learn the structure database quickly; need to create queries, dashboards, reports, etc.

Question: What would be the best solution for learning more about how this database and attributes? Printout of Tables, etc.

I understand how tables are used, but need to know how the user has setup naming conventions, [a campaign and a fund] currently has the same named.  When the director ask for a query - it very confusing!
Any suggestions will be helpful. I am scheduled for BB training and I have reviewed many user guides.
You can post or send email directly to gsyphoe@greateratlantachristian.org

Thank you!

You will need to export all the tables to establish what values have been setup.  You can also run tally reports (under demographic and statistical) to get counts of fields to determine how constituency codes or attribute descriptions have been attributed to records.

Firstly, however you need to have a good understanding of how the database and its different areas is meant to be used, so it is good that you have been working through the user guides.  For example, campaigns and Funds have very different purposes.

I would also check the security levels of users under admin.  If all users have the ability to create table entries or new funds then there is your first problem.  These changes should only be made by the database administrator.

I would also organise to meet the users individually to ask them how they currently use it.  This will also help you to develop a training programme.

Hope that helps!

Charlotte, thank you, this has helped a lot.  I am working on it today....

 Happy to help!

Wonderful information, thanks.