Project Graverobber
Background
A pre-existing system needs to be either revisited or recreated from scratch in order to remain viable for regular use by the parish cemeteries in Shamokin, PA. The problem being addressed is the cataloguing of graves in the local area, an undertaking that is imperative to the daily operations of the cemeteries. Since the original developer passed away a year ago, staff has been unable to continue using the program and so usability is likely a top concern. Organization of data and research are also priorities when tackling this project.
Executive Summary
A more modern alternative to the computer program and physical CDs would encompass a web and/or mobile application with cloud storage that syncs recent burials across all local cemeteries. A web/mobile app designed with user friendliness in mind would allow the parish secretary to seamlessly update the records of graves whenever new ones are added (more research would need to be conducted into the cemetery’s daily operations and how exactly new entries are handled, electronically or otherwise). Other administrative features that could benefit the church, such as relational database features that alert parish staff when older graves need maintenance, may also be considered depending on interest.
Viability Analysis
The creation of a simple, intuitive and secure system that handles the cataloguing and insertion of new graves seems well-suited to a full-stack consisting of a UI (for sorting, adding, and viewing details of graves) and an underlying database (that’s responsible for securely storing the details of all burials in a given system of cemeteries). Challenges will include deciding on the best course of action (web, mobile, or both) and the best technologies for creating the stack (front-end frameworks, server host, database selection, etc.)
Risks and Rewards
The completion of this project would yield a helpful resource for parish staff. A generalizable tool beyond Shamokin cemeteries could impact a number of administrative collections of entries, not just burials.
Closing
The creation of a sleek and user-friendly application (perhaps more generalizable than a catalogue for Shamokin cemeteries specifically) would be an interesting and valuable project. The ability to seamlessly add new information while sorting and browsing the old, via a transition to cloud storage rather than antiquated CDs, would be a good starting point in terms of goals for this project. Later iterations could include additional functionality to assist in the administrative efforts of the staff.
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