GIS Implementation:
Issues and Strategies
RNR-GEOG 417/517
GIS Implementation: Overview
„
„
What this is about: designing, developing
and deploying a GIS within an organization
What this is not about: system
architectures
RNR-GEOG 417/517
Lecture 27 -- GIS Implementation
2
1
What would you do?
„
„
Your supervisor knows you took this class.
She’s asked you to implement a GIS for the
organization.
„
What do you think are the 3 most difficult issues you
are likely to face as you deal with management?
„
What three things will you do to make the
introduction of GIS at your organization a success?
RNR-GEOG 417/517
Lecture 27 -- GIS Implementation
3
GIS and Management Issues
„
Lack of understanding
„
Lack of commitment
„
Fear of change
„
Organizational structure (inertia)
„
Poor communication with decision makers
„
Inadequate staff and training
„
Lack of funding
RNR-GEOG 417/517
Lecture 27 -- GIS Implementation
4
2
Dealing with Management Issues
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
Understand the organization
Understand the constraints
Establish a common vision
Estimate real costs
Conduct/Commission a feasibility study
Define a conceptual approach
Develop an implementation approach
RNR-GEOG 417/517
Lecture 27 -- GIS Implementation
5
The Implementation Process
Determine the
system
requirements
Develop a
conceptual
design
Establish project
organization
Implement a
strategic plan
Physical design
Pilot projects
Redesign
RNR-GEOG 417/517
Lecture 27 -- GIS Implementation
6
3
Determine System Requirements
„
User needs assessment
„
Evaluate existing products for output
„
Examine organizational issues
RNR-GEOG 417/517
Lecture 27 -- GIS Implementation
7
Develop a Conceptual Design
„
Evaluate data, needs, and available
technology
„
Develop logical structure of the database
„
Determine accuracy/precision needs
RNR-GEOG 417/517
Lecture 27 -- GIS Implementation
8
4
Project Organization
„
Develop management plan
Manage the project Æ leadership the key
„
Identify team members
Skills – Motivation – Experience (really important)
„
Develop a timeline for informational purposes
‰
‰
‰
Set a schedule
I.D. steps leading to end product
Maps are important
RNR-GEOG 417/517
Lecture 27 -- GIS Implementation
9
Implementation: Strategic Plan
„
Define the overall approach for implementation
This is how we are going to do it!
„
Include acquisition plan
Be sure to include everything (HW, SW, training, etc.)
„
Coordinate application design and implementation
Communication of important aspects
„
Identify different resources
‰
‰
‰
What do we have?
What do we need?
What can we get?
RNR-GEOG 417/517
Lecture 27 -- GIS Implementation
10
5
Physical Design
„
Detailed database design
„
System infrastructure design
„
Network/access planning
„
Physical space layout
„
Training facilities?
RNR-GEOG 417/517
Lecture 27 -- GIS Implementation
11
Pilot Projects
„
Test the physical design of the system
„
Spatial subsets and thematic subsets
„
Allow for refinement of needs
„
Evaluate overall plan
RNR-GEOG 417/517
Allow you to:
1. Test the system
2. Make mistakes
3. Discover weaknesses
4. While producing a product
Lecture 27 -- GIS Implementation
12
6
Redesign
„
„
Part of any good design process
Evaluate results of pilot project
‰
‰
„
What worked
What didn’t work
Update the planning documents as
necessary
‰
‰
Modification = Flexibility
Goal is a better product
RNR-GEOG 417/517
Lecture 27 -- GIS Implementation
13
7