Our Work: Data Migration and Database Planning

In Oregon, each city and county has a comprehensive plan that guides land use, natural resource conservation, economic development, and public facilities. When a plan changes, the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) facilitates the change process.

However, the DLCD’s Paradox database for tracking land decisions didn’t include all needed information and was too old to be enhanced. Therefore, the DLCD was tracking a lot of information separately in spreadsheets.

As part of improving their information resources, the DLCD had commissioned a high-level plan, which identified the overall architecture of a future system. They asked Resource Data to complete more detailed analysis and planning that would enable them to

  • Implement a consolidated SQL Server database
  • Migrate their existing data
  • Build a web-based data entry and reporting tool

The Solution

Based on our analysis, we crafted a set of detailed documents to prepare the DLCD for an implementation phase. Deliverables included the following:

  • Logical and physical data models
  • Data dictionary
  • Data migration plan
  • Application implementation plan

Even with the DLCD’s aggressive 3-month deadline, we completed the project early and under budget.

Our Approach

In our analysis, we reviewed DLCD’s planning documents, existing systems, and data. We also met extensively with DLCD subject matter experts to understand land use, as well as the DLCD’s processes and data.

To enable a seamless transition into implementation, without additional analysis or rework being required, we crafted the documents to be comprehensive and clear. For example, in the data migration plan, we identified where each existing field mapped to in the new database and any transformations needed. We also defined how to verify the migrated data’s quality and completeness.

The implementation plan for the web-based tool was similarly detailed. It included

  • Prioritized requirements
  • System architecture
  • High-level application design with navigation map and screen wireframes
  • A task list
  • A risk assessment