WordPress deploment to live workflow – database issue

My apologies if this is the wrong place for this question.

I’m trying to work version control into developing a WordPress site, but I’m unable to solve the issue of DB synchronization.

For simplicity’s sake, I will describe a scenario with just Live and Staging websites and repos:

1) Pull down Live DB to Staging DB

2) Do the same for code

3) Install WP plugin on Staging. Tweak, configure and test as needed.

4) When ready, deploy to Live <- here is the issue

The installation of the plugin could result in changes to the database. New tables and maybe even new entries in existing tables. Of course, pushing up the code part of the plugin is not an issue, but what about the DB changes? The Live DB has already changed (it’s a live site after all). That means I’m stuck back at square one – installing a plugin directly on Live without proper testing and deployment workflow.

All the articles I’ve read that talk about putting WP under source control and proper deployment practices, but never address this issue. Am I just missing something obvious entirely?

Thanks for any help!