Although many GIS programs have been able to assemble most of the critical elements to succeed, one key facet that is sometimes overlooked is the most valuable asset. Many times staffing is approached with the same methods and procedures that organizations have adopted as standard practices. due to the low supply of experienced GIS professionals, we believe another model can be deployed that will give organizations the tools to proactively address issues of attracting, developing, and retaining exceptional individuals in this competitive market place. Johnson County has been building a Geographic Information System for almost ten years and has invested millions of dollars in database development, maintenance, and end user entitlement. However, success has been plagued by the following challenges:
As the number of mature GIS sites grow, their operational and management needs and characteristics may be distinguished form their younger family members. Given the rapid growth of the industry, there are a variety of institutional archetypes to examine, each possessing defining characteristics while sharing many of the same development related issues. The purpose of this paper is to identify the changing characteristics and needs of GIS. From startup to enterprise, the continuing hardware, software and organizational issues will be examined.
Until recently, application specific needs largely drove the development of GIS within organizations. Historically high costs of data and software restricted GIS primarily to large corporations and government entities. The people in charge of implementing GIS have historically been technical workers, and used GIS primarily to answer specific application questions, whether the specific questions required only a simple map, or a relatively sophisticated analytical model. GIS is on the verge of a dramatic shift. Considering between 70% and 80% of all data is geographically referenced, GIS is beginning to emerge as an information management tool across entire organizations. Now, rather than implementing GIS at a technical level, in response to an application need, GIS needs to be implemented using a top-down, information management approach. The question needs to be asked, "How do we use GIS as a information management tool across our entire organization?" There is a growing need to develop an overall GIS plan within organizations, outlining the organization's current situation, needs assessment, and implementation strategy. Ideally, as a GIS program matures within an organization, the business plan will evolve from an immediate, one to two year implementation strategy, to a long-term strategic plan. Toward the goal of establishing a GIS implementation strategy for the St. Johns River Water Management District, Department of Resource Management, a two year plan was developed which identified seven major objectives. These seven objectives consist of maintaining current levels of support, employee enhancement, creating and maintaining digital databases, providing departmental-wide support, providing on-line data access, providing GIS to off-site service centers, and application development. These objectives will be used as a basis for effective management and development of GIS within the Department.
Understanding the costs and benefits of implementing or expanding a GIS is an important part of the strategic planning process. Identifying and determining the value of the economics of a GIS is extremely difficult. A variety of approaches, some mandated by government or corporate standards, others invented when the need arises, have been used in the recent past. This paper will outline a well-designed, consistent approach to determining and valuing the costs and benefits of a GIS. Cost valuation issues focus on fair determination of staff, equipment, and other costs, particularly when comparing alternate implementation scenarios. Benefit valuation incorporates a clear division of direct, indirect, and external benefits. Finally, the costs and benefits are applied over time, with clear cost/benefit information offered for the decision making process.