GIS Implementation: Issues and Strategies

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GIS ImplementationIssues and Strategies

• RNR-GEOG 417/517
• Fall, 2000

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GIS Implementation Focusing Questions

• What types of people might be involved in GIS
  processes?
• What happens if implementation succeeds?
• What happens if it does not succeed?
• What is the typical management response?

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GIS and Management Issues

• Lack of understanding
• Lack of commitment
• Fear of change
• Organizational structure (inertia)
• Poor communication with decision makers
• Inadequate staff
• Lack of funding

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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

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The Implementation Process

• Determine the system requirements
• Develop a conceptual design
• Project organization
• Implementation strategy plan
• Physical design
• Pilot projects
• Redesign

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Determine System Requirements

• User needs assessment
• Evaluate existing products for output
• Examine organizational issues

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Develop a Conceptual Design

• Evaluate data, needs, and available technology
• Develop logical structure of the database
• Determine accuracy/precision needs

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Project Organization

• Develop management plan
• Identify team members
• Develop a timeline for informational purposes

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Implementation Strategy Plan

• Define the overall approach for implementation
• Include acquisition plan
• Coordinate application design and development
• Identify different resources

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Physical Design

• Actual detailed database design
• System infrastructure design
• Network/access planning
• Physical space layout
• Training facilities?

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Pilot Projects

• Test the physical design of the system
• Allow for refinement of needs
• Evaluate overall plan
• Spatial subsets and thematic subsets

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Redesign

• Part of any design process
• Evaluate results of pilot project
• Update the planning documents as necessary