Geographic Information SystemsGeographic Information Systems

Implementing a GIS

1. Information is Power1. Information is Power

People problems vs. technique problems

GIS and GIS data are political tools"Numbers always beat no numbers"

http://www.sdgs.usd.edu/bhdma/20050719/Sorensen.pdf

2. Six Phases to Implement a GIS2. Six Phases to Implement a GIS

Phase 1. Awareness Phase 2. Developing system requirements Phase 3. System evaluation Phase 4. Implementation plan Phase 5. System acquisition and start-up Phase 6. Operation

Phase 1 - AwarenessPhase 1 - Awareness

Top-down- Funding and organization support from the top,

but resistance from staff

Bottom-up- Technical knowledge and support from the bottom

but may take time to convince the top

The role of consultants

Phase 2 - Developing System Phase 2 - Developing System

RequirementsRequirements

User needs analysis- What are the needs and who's needs, procedures

used for the current system and future needs- current operations vs. new ways of doing current

operations vs. new operations

The standardization of data, process optimization, and data/equipment sharing

These are both technical and organizational issues - interoperability at technical, semantic, and institutional levels

Phase 2 - Developing System Phase 2 - Developing System

RequirementsRequirements

An example of system requirement for GIS operations

This chart detects common GIS functions and the applications that can be used to perform the functions

http://lagic.lsu.edu/gisprimer/phased_implementation.asp#6Phases

Phase 3 - System EvaluationPhase 3 - System Evaluation

Stage 1. Identify candidate systems - Essential vs. would-be-nice-to-have - New technology generation ratio - Overhead vs. maintenance

State 2. Benchmarking - Real data, real problem, direct staff involvement

Phase 4 - Implementation PlanPhase 4 - Implementation Plan

Cost/benefit analysis: - cost: time, labor, software, hardware

initial costs, long term costs- benefit: tangible and intangible, GIS data base is a

gold mine

Staff

Phase 4 - Implementation PlanPhase 4 - Implementation Plan

Alternative approaches to implementing a GIS

http://lagic.lsu.edu/gisprimer/phased_implementation.asp#6Phases

Phase 4 - Implementation PlanPhase 4 - Implementation Plan

Organize the components of a GIS

Phase 5 - System Acquisition and Phase 5 - System Acquisition and

Start-UpStart-Up

- Site preparation - Training - Internal communication - External communication

Phase 5 - System Acquisition and Start-Phase 5 - System Acquisition and Start-

UpUp Pilot Project

- Develop a complete data set for small study area and an easily attainable project with high probability of success - Plan and execute as if full-scale application - Have all staff/users participate- Use your resources, available staff and consultants

- Report Results

Phase 6 - OperationPhase 6 - Operation Internal and external communications

ReadingReading

Chapter 11