database - Using virtual machines for development -

i've been given role of managing or development environment includes:

• managing version control system (subversion) in typically have 1 major branch released production every 6 months, maintenance branch released every 2 month fix non-major bugs found users , couple of branches related bugs can't wait maintenance release.
• managing our databases have development database each branch of code

we've not long moved on using version control system , have had following issues:

• developers work on number of branches concurrently can quite end developing against wrong database (we have around 15 developers)
• a lack of decent strategy managing release of branches production , propagation other branches
• a lack of decent strategy managing databases associated each branch (i.e. should keep script aligned production environment , script bring each database user in line needs of branch)

i had thought of using virtual machine each branch of code (i.e. vm containing oracle express database user, coldfusion administrator correct setup things data sources, , development tools ide , tortoise).

i looking suggestions might have of these issues i'm finding difficult manage process. understand no 2 companies have exact same setup i'd welcome help.

i think best solution can start using continuous integration applied product life cycle strategy. can read on web:

• continuous integration
• great open-source framework continues integration!

i hope helps you, question quite hard answer 'cause there lot of parameters answer company company, should consider hiring consultant you. he/she have come company , decide , implement.