Strategic GIS Planning and Management in Local Government / Edition 1

by David A. Holdstock

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367867409
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	12/12/2019
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

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.

Table of Contents

Strategic Planning. The Formula for Success. Challenges, Barriers, and Pitfalls. Sequential Steps to Developing a Vision, Goals, and Objectives. Governance. GIS Training, Education, and Knowledge Transfer Introduction. Return on Investment. How to Sell GIS to Local Government. Conclusions.

Editorial 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

From the Publisher