Performance analysis and tuning for databases: When should performance analysis and tuning activities be performed in the lifecycle of a database system?

Introduction / Context:
Database performance management is not a one-off task. Workloads evolve, data volumes grow, query patterns change, and infrastructure is updated. Sustained performance requires continuous monitoring and iterative tuning.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Databases support varying workloads (OLTP, analytics) with changing usage.
• Indexes, statistics, and configurations drift over time.
• SLAs demand consistent latency and throughput.

Concept / Approach:

A proactive approach includes monitoring metrics (CPU, I/O, waits), reviewing slow queries, maintaining statistics, planning indexes, and optimizing schema and SQL regularly. These activities are part of day-to-day database administration rather than tied to a single event like installation or first go-live.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Periodic performance reviews often uncover new hotspots created by feature releases or data growth, validating the need for ongoing tuning.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

One-time efforts (A or B) ignore changing conditions.

Linking tuning only to backups (C) conflates different operational concerns; backups are necessary but not inherently performance tuning.

Common Pitfalls:

Firefighting only after incidents; failing to track query plan changes after upgrades; neglecting statistics management.

Final Answer:

Undertaken as an ongoing part of managing a database