ROMA Managing Multiple Databases

What's New

MMDB Core Committee Conference Call Notes: November 20, 2000

About MMDB

Managing Multiple Databases Project
This project is being undertaken because there appears to be a high level of frustration across the community services network (CSN) with respect to the multiple, disparate information management systems that a typical community action agency operates. Based on the anecdotal evidence currently available, it appears that a typical agency operates at least five databases. Typically, several of the systems are explicitly mandated by funders and several more systems, while not explicitly mandated, are none-the-less necessary to meet specific funders' requirements. Typically, client data is entered multiple times and inefficiently shared across programs, if at all.

Workplan
This initiative will produce a written report to the community services network. The target dates for the report are July 2000 to the Monitoring and Assessment Task Force and September 2000 to NACAA and NASCSP. The tentative work plan is to:

• Document the database management issues commonly faced by local community action agencies around the country. (January 2000)
• Document current database management best practices at local agencies around the country, both in terms of reporting and in terms of client services. (March 2000)
• Analyze and document promising emerging technologies. (March 2000)
• Make recommendations for modest steps, and ambitious steps if any, that could be taken to improve local agency database management. (May/June 2000)

Methods of Operation
This initiative will operate using both face-to-face meetings and an email discussion group.

A Core Committee has been constituted (insert link). This committee will meet in January, March and May/June 2000, corresponding to the workplan. Additional people will work with the committee over the course of the next eight months when their skills and knowledge can be best utilized--people from within the network as well as IT consultants. The committee will oversee production of the final report.

An email discussion group (listsev), the MMDB, provides a forum for widespread, ongoing participation in this initiative. This listserv also engages in general discussions related to information management issues. You are welcome and encouraged to subscribe.

Documents

• MMDB Core Committee Meeting Minutes: May 22-24, 2000 (PDF: 30K, 6 pages)
• XML Whitepaper (PDF: 86K, 16 pages): all about XML (eXtensible Markup Language), a potential "back end" solution and standard for re-designing databases and other content. From the MMDB Committee XML Work Group.
• Draft Minutes from the MMDB Core Committee meeting held March 22-24, 2000
• Managing Multiple Databases Survey Results (PDF: 44K, 6 pages): The Managing Multiple Databases Survey asked community action agencies about their data collection, entry, and storage practices. More than 200 agencies from 42 states responded to the survey, which gave the first clear picture of the challenges faced by and the resources that exist for the nation’s community action agencies.
• Minutes from the Managing Multiple Databases meeting held September 9, 1999 at the NACAA Annual Meeting.

The MMDB listserv

The Managing Multiple Databases listserv is an initiative of the Monitoring and Assessment Taskforce established to encourage discussion among those interested in issues related to managing multiple databases.
MMDB listserv Subscription Information

Messages on selected topics are also archived in the MMDB Listserv Message Library.

Committee Members