Chicago Public Schools - Capital Improvement Tracking System
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Challenge
Bronner was tasked with creating a Capital Improvement Tracking System (database) for Tishman and CPS management to manage and access key project information for this program.
Tishman was tracking various types of information for this project; however, the company lacked an integrated repository for all necessary information. Tishman was using multiple spreadsheets to track its data, sometimes resulting in data being stored in multiple locations. Keeping the spreadsheets accurate and up-to-date had become a very time-consuming, labor-intensive project.
The daily reporting requirements were also a major problem. Bronner's challenge was to develop an application that would link all information in a cost effective, easy-to-use format that could be used as a management tool for the Executive Program Manager to monitor the progress of the project.
In addition to usage at the executive level, Bronner took into account the different reporting requirements and computing proficiency of the employees of six other companies that would access the information in the system.
Solution
Bronner performed extensive analysis of Tishman's information needs and determined that the most effective solution was to integrate current information sources and develop a single interface to these information sources. Bronner then designed, developed, and implemented a relational database management system. This application was initially developed as a single-user input system and was customized to a multi-user, multi-site system during the development process without down time or loss of data. The CPS Capital Improvement Tracking System that resulted allows users in multiple locations to retrieve the information they need to perform their job duties on a real-time basis.
Results
The CPS Capital Improvement Tracking System solution was so successful that the CPS board adopted the application as the main tracking and records management system for all CPS vendors. The system has greatly improved reporting capabilities and simplified the reporting process; it is currently operated and administered by dedicated Bronner staff on the 17th floor of CPS Central Office.
