Sketch the "big picture" before detailing the database schema. Define the basic APIs.
Never start drawing boxes immediately. Spend the first 5-10 minutes asking clarifying questions: (B2B vs. B2C) What is the DAU (Daily Active Users)? What are the core features? (Focus on the MVP). What are the constraints? (Latency vs. Availability). 2. Propose High-Level Design and Get Buy-In alex lu system design interview pdf patched
Understanding that you can’t have Consistency, Availability, and Partition Tolerance all at once. Most web apps prioritize Availability. Sketch the "big picture" before detailing the database