Personally, I agree that flat file db systems are definitally not scalable. To the extent you seem to be considering. I wonder how PM would run with flat files. :)

Regardless, I suggest you write. Write a lot. Spec everything out, and read over it. Create a data model in excel, with table layouts, (or flat file(shudder) column layouts), and program flow charts. Even writing a simple paragraph in plain english helps me clear my head and move foward a bit. Sometimes you realize what you can do easier, and what you simple cannot do, by writing and specing (if only to be viewed by yourself) things out before coding.

I hope this helps. I spend many-an-hour in meetings here at work, and most of the time I come out knowing what priorities I have to restructure, and usually end up productive that day..

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