This booklet describes the Purdue Center for Regional Development's Regional Decision Maker (RDM) tool.

1. Regional Decision Maker
Dynamic Regional Mapping in the Cloud

2. Roadmap
01
Table of contents
Phase 1: Introduction to RDM
02
Phase 2: RDM training
03
Phase 3: Building your platform
04
Phase 4: Platform training
05
Phase 5: Regional platform and
support06

3. 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. 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. 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. 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.

7. What is RDM?
How does RDM apply to you?
Important concepts
Example scenarios
introduction
to RDM

8. 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. 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. 10
Important RDM concepts
Cluster 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. 11
RDM cluster analysis
Scenario: 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. 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. 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.

14. Why train?
Training resources
RDM
training

15. 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. 16
Available training resources
In 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.

17. Building your platform
How are you involved?
building
a platform

18. 18
Once you are
familiar with the way
our mapping
services work, we
will move into Phase
3 of the process
and create a
customized 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. 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

20. Learning to use your
platform
platform
training

21. 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.

22. Your finished platform
Using your platform
regional
platform and
support

23. 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. 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

25. For more information,
please contact Indraneel
Kumar at
ikumar@purdue.edu
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.