Embodiments include method, systems and computer program products for evaluating a database design. Aspects include receiving a first database definition for a first database comprising multiple database object definitions; receiving database design rules; calculating object scores representing a compliance between the database object definitions with the database design rules; calculating a first database score based on the object scores; receiving a second database definition for a proposed modification to the first database, wherein the second database definition includes modified database object definitions; calculating object scores representing a compliance between the modified database object definitions of the second database definition with the one or more database design rules; calculating a second database score based on the object scores; displaying the first and second database score; displaying a cause of a difference between the first and second database scores; and receiving an indication of whether to implement the second database definition.