Overview
Strategic Inventory, Monitoring,
Assessment, and Planning
Improvements
Improving critical agency business processes
Process Improvement Efforts
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Core GIS (1997)
Corporate Databases - NRIS, ALP/NILS, INFRA
Inventory and Monitoring Issue Team
Sustainable Development Issue Team
Forest Planning Procedures
New Processes (Opportunities?)
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NFIM/NFPN Budget Formulation and Presentation
Forest Planning Regulations
Roads/Transportation and Roadless Policy
Cohesive Fire Strategy and Recreation Strategy
Eco-Regional Planning Requirements
External Sources (T&E Monitoring, TMDL, etc.)
Implementation of Process Improvements
Is not Keeping Pace with Requirements
1999
2000
2001
2002
Requirements
Improvements
• Process Improvements
are being completed
• Improvements must be
implemented faster
• Must “keep our eye on
the ball”
Do We Have A Choice?
• 50-80% of FS budget is information management.
• Increasing analysis complexity and processes.
• Limited skills, tighter budgets, shorter time frames.
• Organizational survival requires new business methods.
Technical challenge is to develop new approaches.
Leadership challenge is to overcome cultural barriers and
provide support to implement new business processes!
Aligning Improvement Efforts
Setting an appropriate pace and priorities
Focus on High Payoff Investments
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Core GIS Implementation
Corporate Database Implementation
Inventory & Monitoring Process Improvements
Resource Information Program Management
Sustainable Development (LUCID)
Decision and Analysis Support Tools
Improved Functionality/Integration of Databases
Aligning Improvement Efforts
Core GIS
Corporate Databases
Regional Resource
Information Plans
I&M Protocols
Program Mgmt
Sustainability
IM Framework &
IMIT Action Plan
SDIT Action Plan
Support Tools
Database Upgrades
ITIPS Documents for
NRIS, INFRA, ALP
Setting an Appropriate Pace
2001
Core GIS
Corporate DBs
I&M Protocols
Program Mgmt
Sustainability
Support Tools
DB Upgrades
2002
2 Regions
7 Regions
Bus. Req.
Protocols
2003
2004
Document
Organize
Programs
Reviews
V2.0
V2.X
Critical Actions
Leadership role and intervention
CSDS Enterprise-wide Review Findings
“Executive Leadership does not understand its
role, nor the importance of consistent, senior
level involvement in strategic information
management.”
 “…failure to be involved beyond project
sponsorship and funding.”
 “…professes support for information management
principles but falls short of “walking the talk…”
Focus on Principles
 Improvement efforts have enormous payoffs
 Enable exchange of data, talent, and knowledge
 Focus on basic data using a systems approach
 Automate and build-in expertise/efficiency
 There will be transition costs; field effects
Information foundation critical to decision making
Critical Leadership Actions
 Take an Active Role in RIM
 Accelerate NRIS Implementation
 Implement Core GIS
 Improve I&M Activities
 Focus Budget Direction/Funding
 Formalize RIM Organizations
Accelerated NRIS Implementation
Minimizing Transition Cost
Legacy Data – Largest Single Barrier
Agreements - Experience
November 1998 and 1999 Joint ESCT/IREMCG Meetings
-Regions responsible for data cleanup and migration
-NRIS personnel will assist
Regional Resource Information Plans
-Regional data stewardship roles defined
-Legacy data cleanup and migration emphasized
Installations on Individual NFs/NGs
-Migration of legacy data limits rate of installations
-Legacy data critical to ownership and use
Region 2 NRIS Implementation Pilot
-Migration of legacy data largest impact
-Critical GIS layers missing (watersheds/streams)
Accelerated NRIS Implementation
STEP 1.
May-Sept. 2000
R2 Implementation Pilot
STEP 2.
Oct.1 2000 –
Feb. 2001
Refinement Test in Another Region
STEP 3.
Oct.2000 –
Sept. 2001
Legacy Data Evaluation in all
other Regions [$1M/Region]
STEP 4.
Oct.1, 2001 –
May, 2002
Complete legacy data migration
to NRIS [$1M/Region]
STEP 5.
Oct. 1, 2002
All Legacy Systems Converted to NRIS
Core GIS Implementation
Getting our Maps Together
FS Geospatial Policy and Programs
1997 ESCT/IREMCG Approval
-Core GIS Layers Approved
-Implementation Plan – Regional Approach
Geospatial Executive Board
-WO Directors (NFS/R&D/S&PF/IRM)
-Policy – Direction, Coordination
-Funding/Budget Direction
Geospatial Advisory Committee
-Field and National program representation
-Development of policy, direction, funding proposals
-Sponsors Technical Working Groups
Interim Actions, Standards, and Policy
Interim Direction
-GIS Data Dictionary
-Cartographic Publishing Tools
Core GIS Program
-Core GIS Pilot Test
-Core GIS Development Program
-National GIS Contracting Services (GSTC)
Coordinated IRM System Transition
-GIS Software Upgrade (IMS, Version 8.0+)
-Workstation Standards (3 Levels)
Core GIS Budget Direction
-Allocation Criteria
-Emphasis “Critical” Layers to support Corporate DBs
Long-term Framework
•Core GIS Report (1997)
•Geospatial Executive Board formed to address:
-FS Policy - Manual and Handbook Direction
-Integration of FS Standards with FGDC
-Complete Core GIS Coverage for All NFS Lands
-Role of National Technical Centers in Field Support
-Integration with National Applications
Standardizing I&M Activities
Minimizing Future Data Management Costs
Corporate Protocols, Standards, Data Bases
FSH:
• Common Stand Exam
• TEUI
• Aquatic Inventory
Interim Actions, Standards, and Policy
Data Migration Templates
-Legacy Data Evaluation Guidebook
-Standard Templates for Legacy Data
Integrated Inventory Direction
-Common Stand Exam FSH
-Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory FSH
-Aquatic Ecological Unit Inventory FSH
-Field Data Recorder Programs to support
Monitoring and Evaluation Direction
-LUCID Field Tests – Sustainability Monitoring
-Forest Plan Monitoring Chapter Content
-Monitoring Program MAR Items
Long-term Strategy
• Inventory and Monitoring Framework
- IMIT Action Plan
• Sustainable Development Issue Team Action Plan
Program Budget Direction
Focused Funding for Interim Actions
Show Me the Money!
Discretionary Funding Approaches Not Working
-Local priorities take precedence
-Direction ineffective without program accountability
Congressional Confidence and Interest Increasing
-Budget Staff interest and expectations increasing
-FY2001 Funding increased by $47M to $235M
Must Demonstrate Results!
-Clear relationship of results to program direction
-Activity Reviews (Regional/National)
Program Dictates a Formal Approach
-Information foundation critical
-Managing with Ad Hoc organizations
FY 2001 Budget and Direction
Allocation Criteria
-Link to Annual Performance Measures/Activities
-Link to GPRA Strategic Plan
Geospatial Programs
-Earmark for Core GIS Layers
-Pilot Testing/GIS Training/Cartographic Tools
Resource Information Management
-Earmark for Data Stewardship/Implementation
-Earmark for Data Migration Capture
Inventory and Monitoring
-Earmark for I&M protocol testing (LUCID, R1/4, etc.)
-NFS Targets Benchmarked/Negotiated
Program Formulation and Strategy
Program Formulation and “Script”
-Information Foundation Critical to Decision Making
-Corporate Solutions Most Efficient
-Rapid Transition to Corporate Systems
-Continuously Monitor and Amend Forest Plans
Program Accountability
-Align with GPRA Strategic Plan Outcome Measures
-Annual Performance Measures/MAR Linkages
-Program Reviews/Document Results
Organizing to Manage
Resource Information
Form Follows Function
RIM Organizations
• Formal RIM Organizations Key to Progress
-Pick your study or report
• Level of Expertise Needed Increasing
• Program Complexity Increasing
• The RIM Job Won’t Go Away
Interim Actions
• Designate Region/Station Director Level Contact
• Designate Regional Coordinators for:
- Resource Information Coordinator
- INFRA Coordinator
- ALP Contact
- TIM Coordinator
- GIS Program
• Collateral Duties for:
- Data Administrators
- Data Stewards
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Long-term Solutions
• Regional Resource Information Plans define:
- Regional Information Officer
- Data Administrator
- Data Stewards
- GIS Coordinator
• Formal Regional Organizations Needed?