Regional Decision Maker Booklet

Regional Decision MakerDynamic Regional Mapping in the Cloud

Roadmap

01

Table of contents

Phase 1: Introduction to RDM

02Phase 2: RDM training

03

Phase 3: Building your platform

04Phase 4: Platform training

05Phase 5: Regional platform and

support06

3

Imagine this…

You’re bogged down in a flood of data with

no way to interpret it meaningfully. You

need a way to analyze a region efficiently.

While the majority of regional decision-makers

possess a wealth of valuable information and

statistics, some lack the tools and resources

required to transform their information into a

useable format.

Creating a meaningful report from a collection of

numbers is a challenging task that often involves

repetitive calculations, expensive consultants and

specialized software.

Even after an analysis, there is often no way to

visualize results easily. Decision-makers need a

way to see and share results quickly. They also

need the ability to interact with data to uncover

patterns and identify emerging insights.

Introduction

section 01

There has to be a better way to make sense

of all this data!

4

Custom regional mapping services from PCRD

What if you could analyze and summarize your “key” data

easily through the Web on a simple desktop? What if you

could quickly perform a complex economic or demographic

analysis for your region?

A customized regional platform created by the Purdue Center for

Regional Development (PCRD) allows you to do just that.

We combine all of your data with some of our own and create a

personalized mapping website, complete with sophisticated analysis

tools, specialized training and our continued technical support. Most

importantly, our cloud-based design does not require advanced

computing power, so a simple desktop is all you need.

Introduction

section 01

Your custom and

interactive Web-

based mapping

platform takes

regional decision-

making to the next

level: agile, low cost

and engaging.

5

Who can benefit from a customized regional mapping service?

Introduction

section 01

Users Benefits

Regional Planners Geographically visualize growth trends, areas of

dysfunction and opportunities for development

using advanced data analyses.

Economic Developers Assess economic strengths & weaknesses, view

industry trends and generate economic reports.

University Engagement Staff Use dynamic regional mapping to power the

university’s engagement activities.

Workforce Developers Use workforce analysis tools to identify workforce

assets and support a more tightly integrated

workforce system.

A customized platform

from PCRD is a

powerful asset for a

wide variety of users.

From regional planners

to University

engagement staff,

anyone wishing to

analyze a region using

state-of-the-art

technology benefits

greatly from this

interactive and

personalized

framework.

6

Phases of customized platform creation

Roadmap

section 01

This booklet walks you through the five

phases leading to your customized Web-

based regional mapping platform.

What is RDM?

How does RDM apply to you?

Important concepts

Example scenarios

introduction to RDM

8

What is Regional Decision Maker (RDM)?

RDM is a powerful suite of mapping websites and tools

that enables users to make informed decisions quickly and

efficiently.

Developed by PCRD in partnership with Emsi data, RDM facilitates

and enables regional decision-making in a number of ways. Most

importantly, it allows decision-makers to interact with data through

customizable, user-friendly tools and geographic visualization. This

high level of interactivity enables decision-makers to generate

powerful insights more quickly.

For the first time in regional decision-making, RDM delivers large,

Web-enabled datasets directly to the user. Decision-makers can

now take sophisticated data analysis into their own hands. RDM

converts Big Data into Smart Data, which can be used to develop

smart ideas.

Phase 1: Introduction to RDM

RDM delivers powerful

geospatial mapping

and analysis to your

desktop.

PCRD can customize

this platform for your

region.

section 02

9

How does RDM apply to you?

Phase 1: Introduction to RDM

section 02

We will create a regional version

of RDM’s national framework for

your organization.

Your customized regional mapping

service will contain any RDM maps,

data and tools that you request, all

customized for your region.

This personalized framework will

contain all of the power and ease-of-

use necessary to perform fast,

cutting edge analyses, placing you at

the forefront of regional decision-

making.

10

Important RDM conceptsCluster analysis quickly highlights the dynamics of your regional economy.

Industry Clusters

are groups of businesses that

share similar and complimentary

technologies, infrastructure,

products, labor markets and

services. Examples of Industry

Clusters include: Machinery

Manufacturing, Business &

Finance and Transportation &

Logistics.

Phase 1: Introduction to RDM

section 02

Occupation Clusters

are groups of occupations that

share similar knowledge and

skill requirements. Examples of

Occupation Clusters include:

Skilled Production Workers,

Engineering and Related

Sciences and Information

Technology.

Location Quotient (LQ)

is a measure of cluster

concentration and

competitiveness. A higher LQ

value indicates a region with a

more concentrated amount of

Industry or Occupation Cluster

jobs. Strategies start from

identifying these strengths

and competitiveness.

11

RDM cluster analysisScenario: You are part

of a regional planning

committee that wants

to identify economic

drivers within your area.

You need to quickly

generate an Industry

Cluster report.

Phase 1: Introduction to RDM

section 02

Using Regional Decision Maker (RDM), you can

create this report in less than a minute. You

select the appropriate tool, draw your region

onto the map and the tool generates an

exportable report.

This report contains data pertaining to each

Industry Cluster in your region, including: the

number of jobs, location quotient (LQ), number of

establishments and average wage.

12

RDM corridor analysis

Phase 1: Introduction to RDM

section 02

Your can analyze the economy around your

corridor using a variety of RDM tools, which can

be made for a corridor buffer as small as a few

kilometers. You draw your roadway onto the map

and the corridor analysis tool generates a report

for the corresponding region.

This unique method of analysis is extremely useful

for coordinating planners, economic developers,

large planning regions and corridor studies. With

corridor analysis, you can quickly identify competitive

strengths and industry clusters that can benefit from

corridor investments.

Scenario: A new arterial

corridor is proposed

and you would like to

analyze industry

clusters along the

corridor region. You

need a tool that

operates along a major

roadway.

13

RDM chart comparison

Phase 1: Introduction to RDM

section 02

RDM contains chart tools for a variety of data

categories. You select the subject you would

like to compare (i.e. Industry Cluster

employment) and draw your region of interest

onto the map.

The platform automatically generates charts

showing county values. Comparing county data

visually using charts is a quick and simple way to

generate easily-understood visual aids for regional

reports.

Scenario: You have

analyzed your region as

a whole, but you would

like to know how the

region’s individual

counties compare to

one another in a

specific cluster. You

need a tool that can

identify outliers quickly.

Why train?

Training resources

RDM training

15

Why train before your regional platform is completed?

Learning about Regional Decision Maker

(RDM) gives you the knowledge necessary

to design your own regional mapping

service.

During Phase 2 of platform creation, you will

become familiar with our national mapping

service before we create your personalized

regional service. Because your regional platform

will be based off of our national platform, it is

important that you are familiar with all of the

major components.

With your general knowledge of RDM tools and

concepts, you will be able to specify what tools

and data we will incorporate into your

personalized mapping service. You can think of

training as giving you an opportunity to “try

before you buy.”

RDM training jump starts your regional platform.

You will have all the skills you need to use your

regional platform on Day 1.

Phase 2: RDM training

Training gives you the opportunity to

“try before you buy.”

section 03

16

Available training resourcesIn order to clarify any section of RDM you may be unfamiliar with, a large number of training

materials are available. We provide training materials in various formats in order to meet your

specific preferences and needs.

Phase 2: RDM training

section 03

Video tutorials

We have created many video

tutorials to demonstrate the

use of individual RDM tools.

These videos are short in

length (3 min average) and

are designed for users who

learn visually.

Written tutorials & exercises

We have a large collection of

written tutorials and training

exercises for RDM tools.

These short (2-3 page)

tutorials and exercises contain

detailed instructions and

pictures for maximum ease of

use.

Webinars

For those who like a more

detailed and interactive

training approach, we have

a collection of recorded

webinars containing tool

demonstrations. You may

also schedule a live webinar

with us.

Building your platform

How are you involved?

building a platform

18

Once you are familiar with the way our mapping services work, we will move into Phase 3 of the process and create acustomized regional platform branded just for you.

Your data, our data, your specific design requests and our custom tools will come together to form a cutting-edge service that meets your decision-making needs.

Phase 3: Building a platform

section 04

Building your regional platform

19

How are you involved?

We will work together in every step along the way as we

create your regional mapping service.

Throughout the creation process, you will have multiple

opportunities to review and approve the design scheme, available

data, tools, general layout and functionality of your platform. After

each review, we will create a revised and updated version of your

service for you to review again.

By working with you throughout the design process, we ensure that

we meet your specific needs. We work to create a mapping service

that incorporates all of the components you need to make your

decision-making process simpler, faster and more engaging.

Phase 3: Building a platform

Solid customization

depends on deep

collaboration. We

will work with your

organization

throughout the

entire planning and

creation process.

section 04

Learning to use your

platform

platform training

21

Learning to use your new platform

In order to train with your new service during Phase 4,

we will work with you to create a customized suite of

training materials.

We will create your training materials in the formats you request

(short videos, written guides or webinar demonstrations). These

customized materials ensure that you are 100% comfortable

using your new platform.

Equally important, you will be able to make your platform

available to other important constituencies that you serve:

elected officials, engaged citizens and economic and workforce

developers.

We will continue to answer any questions you may have

regarding platform use for the duration of your service.

Phase 4: Platform training

section 05

Customized service for the Military Family

Research Institute (MFRI) in Indiana.

Your finished platform

Using your platform

regional platform and

support

23

Your finished platform

Phase 5: Regional platform and support

section 06

Customized service for the Military Family Research

Institute (MFRI) in Indiana.

You will now enter Phase 5 with a powerful suite

of customized maps, tools and information at

your fingertips.

Upon platform completion, we will continue to update

and maintain your service with current data and add

additional data as you provide or request it. Equally

important, we will share with you how other regions are

using these powerful and interactive mapping platforms.

Because we are continually investing in and developing

RDM, we will provide you with the latest insights, tools

and practices in interactive mapping.

24

Using your customized platform

You can leverage your mapping

platform in a variety of ways to

make your work faster, less costly

and more productive.

Visual interpretation: Geographically

visualizing information rather than

viewing numbers in a table will

enhance regional understanding for

you and your colleagues.

Data exploration: Interacting with your

data using customized tools and

geographical visualization will increase

your data comprehension and boost

your decision-making strategies.

Quick statistics: You will be able to

quickly perform calculations that

previously would have taken days using

outside consultants.

Cluster analysis: You will have the

resources to analyze regional

occupations and industries in a unique

and powerful way.

Region customization: Tools within your

platform can be utilized on customized

sub-sections of your region. This

flexibility allows you to focus on

different areas as your needs and

interests change over time.

Map printing: You will be able to print

high-quality images of your region and

data to share with associates.

Report formation: The outputs of many

platform tools can be exported and

used in regional reports. These outputs

are a quick way to review and share

regional statistics.

Visual aid creation: During meetings

and presentations, your platform can

be used as a powerful visual aid. You

will be able to show your data in a

sophisticated and organized manner.

Phase 5: Regional platform and support

section 06

For more information,

please contact Indraneel

Kumar at

[email protected]

765-494-7273

The Purdue Center for Regional Development (PCRD) seeks to pioneer

new ideas and strategies that contribute to regional collaboration,

innovation and prosperity.