Final answer:
Ryan would have had to create a data model before designing the company's database.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ryan, as a database administrator, would need to create a data model before he can begin designing his company's database. A data model is a conceptual representation of how data in the database will be structured and organized. It defines the relationships between different data entities and attributes, allowing Ryan to visualize and plan the database design.
Once the data model is created, Ryan can then proceed with designing the database by creating tables, defining fields and data types, establishing primary and foreign key relationships, and ensuring data integrity.
A data aggregator, query model, and data application are not necessarily required before designing the database.