Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Author

Introduction Strategic Planning The Formula for Success Challenges, Barriers, and Pitfalls Developing a Vision, Goals, and Objectives Governance GIS Training, Education, and Knowledge Transfer Return on Investment How to Sell GIS to Local Government? Conclusions Strategic Planning A Proposed Outline for the Scope of Work Phase I: Needs Assessment Step 1: Online Questionnaire Step 2: Kick-Off Meeting and Technology Workshop Step 3: Departmental Interviews Step 4: Present the Findings of the GIS Needs Assessment Phase II: Conceptual Alternative System Design Step 5: Developing the CSD Phase III: Final Implementation Plan Step 6: Business Plan Step 7: Final Implementation Plan and Presentation (Plan of Action) The Formula for Success Different Perspectives on GIS A Layman's Discussion of Campbell and Masser's Book GIS and Organizations Technological Determinism: The IT Guru or Tech Geek Perspective Managerial Rationalism: The Local Government Management Perspective Social Interactionism: The Local Government Individual Perspective The Truth of the Matter The Formula for Success-A Checklist Category One: GIS Governance Category Two: GIS Digital Data and Databases Category Three: GIS Procedures, Workflow, and Integration Category Four: GIS Software Category Five: GIS Training, Education, and Knowledge Transfer Category Six: GIS Infrastructure The Formula for Success Challenges, Barriers, and Pitfalls A Pass/Fail Approach Five GIS Strategic Planning Components Component One: Strategic GIS Components Component Two: Tactical GIS Components Component Three: Technical GIS Components Component Four: Logistical GIS Components Component Five: Political GIS Components Challenges, Barriers, and Pitfalls Challenges to an Enterprise GIS Barriers to an Enterprise GIS Pitfalls to an Enterprise GIS The Challenges, Barriers, and Pitfalls of 100 Organizations The Challenges, Barriers, and Pitfalls during GIS Maturation The Role and Responsibilities of the GIS Coordinator Sequential Steps to Developing a Vision, Goals, and Objectives Step One: Understand the Existing GIS Situation Step Two: Conduct Blue Sky GIS Sessions with Stakeholders and Conduct a GIS SWOT Analysis Step Three: Build Consensus and Buy-In for an Enterprise GIS Solution from All Stakeholders Example 1: San Luis Obispo County, CA Example 2: City of Carlsbad, CA Example 3: Orange County, CA Example 4: City of Dayton, OH Example 5: Brant County, Ontario, Canada Example 6: Greenville Utilities Commission Example 7: City of Virginia Beach, VA Step Four: Align the GIS with the Vision of the Organizations Organization's Overall Goal #1: Continually Improve Public Safety Organization's Overall Goal #2: Sound and Stable Utilities Organization's Overall Goal #3: Promote Economic Development Organization's Overall Goal #4: A Great Downtown Organization's Overall Goal #5: Increased Civic Engagement Organization's Overall Goal #6: Promote Fiscal Soundness Step Five: Create a GIS Vision Statement, Goals, and Objectives GIS Vision Statement GIS Goals GIS Objectives Step Six: Develop Performance Measures, Outcomes, and Metrics Governance But What Exactly Is GIS Governance? New Management Challenges Introduced by GIS Implementation Government without GIS Misguided GIS Governance Why Is It So Challenging to Deploy an Optimum GIS Governance Model that Meets a Set of Basic Criteria? Three GIS Governance Models Governance Model #1: Centralized Governance Structure Governance Model #2: Decentralized Governance Model Governance Model #3: Hybrid Governance Model New Trending Governance Model: Regionalized Governance Model Adding Functional Teams to the Mix of Governance Models Departmental Accountability, Best Business Practices, Executive Champion, GIS Technical Committee, GIS Steering Committee, Subject Matter Experts, and GIS User Groups An Evaluation of the Different Governance Models Case Study Discussion GIS Training, Education, and Knowledge Transfer Introduction GIS Timeline-GIS Management and Training and Education Period 1: Big Bang to 1970s-The Geographer and Cartographer Period 2: Late 1980s and Late 1990s-The GIS Software Period Period 3: Late 1990s to 2010-The Era of Local Government GIS Professionals Period 4: 2010 to 2020-GIS Maturity and Complexity Period 5: 2020 to 2030-The Next Generation of GIS Coordinators Type of GIS Users in Local Government Esri-Based GIS Software Solutions Defining GIS Training, Education, and Knowledge Transfer Characteristics of a Perfect GIS Coordinator Idea Number One: How to Become an Effective GIS Leader Idea Number Two: Modern-Day Skills of a GIS Coordinator Idea Number Three: The Principles of the CCL GIS Training Series Module One: Characteristics of the Project GIS Coordinator GIS Training Series Module Two: GIS Governance and Management Skills GIS Training Series Module Three: GIS Digital Data and Databases Expertise GIS Training Series Module Four: Understand Procedures, Workflow, and Integration GIS Training Series Module Five: Understanding the Applications of GIS Software GIS Training Series Module Six: GIS Training, Education, and Knowledge Transfer GIS Training Series Module Seven: Understands IT Infrastructure and Architecture Return on Investment Local Governments' Scorecard Approach Example One: City of St. Petersburg, FL Example Two: The City of Boston, MA Example Three: The City of Fort Collins, FL Option One: CBA Option Two: RoI Analysis Option Three: A VP Perceived Benefits More Trouble Than It's Worth The Value of a Life Life is Definable, Changeable, and Improvable A 70:30 Rule Quality-of-Life Goals with Supporting Objectives Economic Diversity and Innovation Effective and Efficient Government Infrastructure and Facilities Equity An RoI and VP Solution KPI #1: Saving Money and Avoiding Costs KPI #2: Saving Time KPI #3: Increased Productivity and Organizational Performance KPI #4: Improving Efficiency KPI #5: Improving Data Accuracy and Reliability KPI #6: Making Better and More Informed Decisions KPI #7: Saving Lives and Mitigating Risks KPI #8: Automating Workflow Procedures KPI #9: Improving Information Processing KPI #10: Complying with State and Federal Mandates KPI #11: Protecting the Community KPI #12: Improving Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration KPI #13: Provide Data to Regulators, Developers, and Other Interested Parties KPI #14: Respond More Quickly to Citizen Requests KPI #15: Improve Citizen Access to Government KPI #16: Effective Management of Assets and Resources KPI #17: Good Environmental Stewardship and Well-Being KPI #18: Data Relationship-New Ways of Thinking KPI #19: Promote Economic Vitality How to Sell GIS to Local Government GIS Is Immensely Sound and Rich with Benefits Selling Topic One: What Exactly Is GIS? Selling Topic Two: Why Do Local Government Organizations Invest in GIS? Selling Topic Three: Forces that Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave Obvious Forces Hidden Forces A Values Game Selling Topic Four: The Provocative Language of Selling and Framing the Argument Selling Topic Five: A Loophole in Our Sales Strategy: The Seven Keys to GIS Success Selling Topic Six: Language and Sales Selling Topic Seven: Selling Local Government Data Conclusions The Importance of Strategic GIS Planning A Possible Formula for Success What about the Major Obstacles Along the Way? How Important Is Developing a GIS Vision and Goals and Objectives? The Maturing and Evolution of GIS Management A Paradigm Shift: We Need to Think Very Differently about the GIS Coordinator and Enterprise GIS Training, Education, and Knowledge Transfer GIS Cost-Benefit, RoI Analysis, or Value Proposition: Are We Poorer for It? Is There an Art in Selling GIS to Local Government? The Future of GIS Technology: How Does It Impact the GIS Coordinator or GIO? 2 References Appendix Index

About the Author

Mr. David Holdstock, BA, MS, a geographic information systems (GIS) professional and chief executive officer, co-established and incorporated Geographic Technologies Group, Inc. in 1997. Mr. Holdstock is a GIS practitioner and a leading expert in developing enterprise and sustainable GIS strategic implementation plans for towns, cities, and counties. Over the past 25 years, Mr. Holdstock has planned, designed, and coordinated the adoption and implementation of GIS technology for over 200 local government organizations. He has published many articles on GIS strategic planning for local government, including assessing the value of GIS; understanding the challenges, barriers, and pitfalls of GIS; and the implementation process for local government. David has conducted hundreds of workshops, seminars, and discussions on GIS implementation. His previous work experience has included being a GIS manager for the world's leading transportation engineering company in New York and a GIS director for a research institute at North Carolina State University.

Reviews

"Detailed, thoughtful, and essential, David's book, "Strategic GIS Planning and Management in Local Government" is an invaluable guide for all GIS professionals tasked with developing and maintaining a superb local government GIS."
- Patrick Baber, City of Roswell, Georgia, USA

"In these pages, David A. Holdstock skillfully crafts a set of tools that when used properly allow us as leaders to solve real problems and achieve measurable results that move the needle on the performance indicators of local government."
- Jeff Griffin, Columbus Consolidated Government, Georgia, USA

"Throughout the pages of Strategic GIS Planning and Management in Local Government, Holdstock emphasizes the value of strategic planning and offers a straightforward and systematic methodology. He delivers an 'A to Z' manual of sorts, with insider knowledge and a distinctive understanding of the principles required for GIS planning, designing, implementing and sustaining. This book is a worthy read for every GIS professional, no matter the current state of his or her particular GIS or their level of experience."
- Steve Hill, City of Dayton, Ohio, USA

"Whether you are implementing a GIS system for a small town or a large size governmental agency, this is a must read. David uses graphs and charts to help explain GIS to decision makers and gives you the tips you need to help sell GIS to the organization. David's book belongs in everyone's GIS tool kit; it will help ensure your success as a GIS professional and the GIS success of your organization."
- Robert Jessen, City of Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA

"Not since Dr. Roger Tomlinson published Thinking About GIS in 2003 has there been such a thoughtful and insightful discussion of GIS strategic planning and implementation. Written by fellow Brit David A. Holdstock, Strategic GIS Planning and Management in Local Government combines 20 years of GIS consulting for local governments across the globe with wit and humor. This is a must have guidebook for GIS professionals in state and local government to assist with strategic GIS planning and implementation."
- Cathy Raney, Campbell County, Wyoming, USA

"Through Holdstock's personal brand of humor, wit and charm, this book reviews the wide breadth of GIS in an exciting and relevant fashion. ...Holdstock provides direction on how to evaluate and collaborate with others in our organizations to discover their wishes and requirements; to identify our resources, targets, and challenges; and to outline our path forward in the ever evolving world of GIS. Local governmental agencies cannot simply purchase a software system and expect it to magically provide solutions. Strategic planning is vital for a sustainable GIS program! This book helps you through that entire process with easy to understand visuals and real life examples."
- Erin Reinders, City of Unalaska, Alaska, USA

"David's book distills 25 years of expertise helping local governments to adopt and implement GIS technology into their organization and provides local governments and organizations with a tool kit for evaluating, benchmarking, and implementing an enterprise GIS. His step-by-step strategy for developing a GIS vision, goals, and objectives mirrors the process he uses with clients and gives the reader a tried and true methodology for defining your organization's vision and setting goals that support this vision."
- Mary Martin, Athens-Clarke County Planning Department, Georgia, USA

"With a focus on strategic planning, steady funding, and the education of elected officials, the author walks his readers through his methodology for building an enduring, sustainable, and enterprise GIS for local government. I believe the breadth of Holdstock's experience shared in this book would be a particularly critical read for a GIS coordinator considering a major overhaul of an existing GIS system, and will also hold value for readers interested in the business and management side of the GIS industry."
-The GIS Professional, November/December 2016

"Strategic GIS Planning and Management in Local Government provides details for implementing a geographic information system in local government. Both conceptual and technical issues are described and this book outlines a process that can be used to support a successful strategy. Each step along the path is described. Unique to this book is the explanation of governance in terms of GIS technology and an assessment of tangible and non-tangible benefits for a successful GIS strategy."
-3D Visualization World Magazine, December 2016