Thinking About Gis

Targeting those charged with launching or implementing a geographic information system for their organization, this book details a practical method for planning a GIS proven successful in public and private sector organizations.

A planning guide for GIS explains how to consider the strategic purpose of an organization to ensure that the GIS will work toward serving some useful and important purpose, with information on active participation in the planning process and early identification of the desired information output, practical techniques for gathering feedback from the organization, formalized approaches to needs assessment, data considerations, and the work of specifying hardware, software, and networking that will prove appropriate for the desired results. Covered in detail are topics such as system design, logical data models, and implementation planning.

Thinking About GIS: Geographic Information System Planning for Managers presents a planning model for designing data and technology systems that will meet any organization's specific needs. Designed for two primary audiences, senior managers who oversee information technologies and technical specialists responsible for system design, this book provides a common platform on which to conduct GIS planning. The fifth edition reflects the latest trends in geospatial technology and includes updated case studies. Exercises from Roger Tomlinson's course Planning for a GIS and a video of the "Planning and Managing a GIS" seminar from the 2012 Esri International User Conference are included on the accompanying DVD.

Learning to Think Spatially examines how spatial thinking might be incorporated into existing standards-based instruction across the school curriculum. Spatial thinking must be recognized as a fundamental part of Kâ€"12 education and as an integrator and a facilitator for problem solving across the curriculum. With advances in computing technologies and the increasing availability of geospatial data, spatial thinking will play a significant role in the information-based economy of the twenty-first century. Using appropriately designed support systems tailored to the Kâ€"12 context, spatial thinking can be taught formally to all students. A geographic information system (GIS) offers one example of a high-technology support system that can enable students and teachers to practice and apply spatial thinking in many areas of the curriculum.

Lindsey loves mapping! Follow along as she collects information about the world around her to make a map of her favorite park. The first in a STEAM career-themed picture book series, Lindsey the GIS Professional describes what geographic information systems (GIS) means, what information is needed to make a map, and how to collect that information. Then Lindsey shows how to take all that information to create a map of her favorite park. Perfect for encouraging spatial thinking! For grades 1-5. Includes a glossary.

Backed by the collective knowledge and expertise of the worlds leading Geographic Information Systems company, this volume presents the concepts and methods unleashing the full analytic power of GIS.

This "how-to" book on planning and managing GIS within local government describes and details the key components of a successful enterprise, sustainable and enduring GIS. It describes the strategic planning process an organization must undertake prior to GIS implementation. The heart of the book is the formula for success that offers a systematic methodology for examining and benchmarking a GIS initiative and the practical and repeatable strategy for success. There are many obstacles to successful GIS implementation, and unfortunately, the local government landscape is riddled with false starts, poorly planned implementations, and glorified mapping systems. This book documents the reason for failure and possible remedies to overcome the challenges to implementation. It discusses pathways to change, ways of improving organizational effectiveness and efficiency, and lays out the organizational approaches, management processes, and leadership actions that are required for GIS to become an indispensable part of an organization. This book is about aiming high, so you can consistently hit your mark by formulating goals and objectives that will tremendously influence the success of a GIS initiative. It details the factors crucial for building an enterprise GIS vision statement that includes governance, data and databases, procedures and workflow, GIS software, GIS training and education, and infrastructure, and how to develop performance measures related to the stated objectives of an organization. The book combines theory with real-world experience to offer guidance on the process of managing GIS implementation. Through key components, this book introduces a new way to think about GIS technology.?