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DBI permit‑tracking rollout delayed by data conversion and staff shortages, commissioners warned
Summary
DBI's IS project director reported Exela user training complete and data conversion under way, but millions of rows and IT staff shortages mean data accuracy is uncertain for weeks; commissioners asked for contingency plans and stakeholder briefings.
Hemani Kanti, IS project director, told the commission that one‑day end‑user training for DBI and interagency reviewers has concluded and that the team is in the last round of user‑acceptance testing. Data conversion scripts began running and the project team is reviewing millions of rows of historical data; staff said they will not know more about data accuracy for “another couple of weeks.”
Staffing and timeline challenges: Kanti said the project is being affected by an IT staffing shortage and that some vendor options are being explored, including short‑term vendor staff to assist with data conversion and conversion review. Commissioners pressed staff on contingency options — including temporary vendor staffing or an agenda item that would convene stakeholders for an honest assessment of the project timeline.
Why it matters: commissioners and staff pointed out that the new tracking system underpins many of DBI’s operational improvements (inspection scheduling, complaint tracking, performance reporting). Delays have knock‑on effects for contractors, project sponsors and interagency handoffs with Planning, Fire and Public Health.
Next steps: staff said they would continue testing and provide an updated estimate at the next reporting period; commissioners asked to schedule a fuller stakeholder briefing if the deadline slips and requested that forthcoming reports include breakdowns by compliance tiers and permit categories so the commission can track progress more precisely.
