A simple method is to treat the update like a puzzle. The goal of puzzle protocol is to make updates on hardcopy map sheets and use the separate sheets to piece together the final seamless dataset. Protocol is based on a situation where the GIS dataset is broken up in pieces to reflect the number of map sheets. Thus if there were 100 tax map sheets, there would be 100 separate corresponding digital components. Users, however, will work with one seamless copy.
Attribute data tends to change more rapidly than parcel boundaries.
Therefore, methods should be instituted to maintain attribute records that are used routinely in conjunction with the parcel dataset. Users should have a standard protocol for disengaging and reestablishing the links between attribute databases and the spatial dataset. For a GIS enterprise of any size, this protocol may be more difficult to institute than updating parcel boundaries. Individual departments tend to have their own time schedules for updating information based on staffing resources and project demands. Often data entry is last on the list of priorities.