Formulating a methodology for standardized geographic information system needs assessments and implementation plans.

摘要

Current GIS literature does not adequately address the need for, or provide guidance in defining and carrying out effective implementation plans. Therefore, there is a compelling need to test and develop methodologies for sound requirements gathering, developing implementation plans, and conducting reasonable project management.; The ideas presented in this study have been tested over 7 years while conducting GIS needs assessments and developing implementation plans for private companies and municipalities.; The motivation behind this work has been to develop an automated system to create reliable, multi-year GIS implementation plans based on interviews conducted with non-experienced GIS users.; One of the most daunting tasks facing a consultant while conducting a thorough GIS needs assessment study is organizing and effectively communicating to the client what they have, what they need and how they should proceed. After interviewing 60+ individuals in a large organization and defining 180+ applications and 200+ databases or map layers—what application or dataset should the client acquire or develop first? Who should be trained, and when? What hardware should be purchased in the first year and what should be postponed? What dependencies exist between datasets or application modules? This study presents three key factors needed to design and to implement a successful GIS in municipal entities. These factors include: (1) Methods to convey the essential capabilities of GIS to non-GIS users. (2) Methodologies for gathering and managing the necessary information to assess the feasibility of GIS at the department level, including: (a) Priorities of application; (b) Estimated frequency of use for each application; (c) estimated time savings for using each application; (d) Costs for application development and related data conversion. (3) Automated procedures for generating reasonable, multi-year implementation plans.; It is hoped that by sharing these methodologies for conducting GIS needs assessment studies and implementation plans, GIS deployment will be smoother, expectations more realistic and resources applied more wisely.