A method of constructing a compact configuration database is disclosed. The configuration database originally includes a plurality of Dial instance data structures each corresponding to a respective one of a plurality of Dial instances utilized to control the latch values of one or more latches within a digital design. According to the method, a determination is made of which of the plurality of Dial instance data structures are accessed during initialization of the digital design. In response to the determination, at least one first Dial instance data structure that is not accessed during initialization of the digital design is removed from the configuration database to reduce a size of the configuration database. In one embodiment, at least one second Dial instance data structure corresponding to a Dial instance that is set to only a single setting is also removed from the configuration database. Thereafter, the configuration database is stored.