Today we dodged a bullet .... there was an RE utility which was not run correctly and caused global problems in the database. We initially thought that we might have to restore RE from a backup. We were advised by BB that if RE was restored that EE would also have to be restored -- from back-ups that were taken at the same time. The obvious problem was that EE would loose all data entered -- including any grades and attendance. While we didn't have to go this route it occurred to me that we need a policy about running utilities/plugins while the other databases are "in use". Has anyone expereince something similiar? Does anyone have such a policy already who would be willing to share it?  

Regards,

Rachel

We don't have a policy - but we do have a standard business practice related to Blackbaud Products.  No updates are done without a backup being done of both databases prior to the update being installed.  And in my ideal world - the updates are done after hours - allowing me time to run a few test queries before unleashing them to the rest of the end users. 
It helps that we are a small shop (total of 15 end users - one IT Director and me).  I decide when we are going to do an upgrade and coordinate the timing with the IT Director.