The term “Enterprise GIS” is widely used and often misunderstood.  It has been used to refer to an enterprise software license, to a centralized repository, a common mapping website, and other tangible items.  While these examples can be components of an Enterprise GIS, they do not alone define a comprehensive GIS approach that aligns with the priorities of the greater enterprise. 

 

The purpose of this analysis is to provide a vision for the evolution of GIS within an enterprise.  The primary step for any organization is to identify enterprise priorities and implement a Strategic GIS Plan that will support the achievement of those goals.

Enterprise GIS presentation made to the Wisconsin GIS community in February.  How do organizations evolve from traditional GIS shops to enterprise focused organizations?

Passion is not enough.  GIS practitioners have an almost spiritual conviction in the power of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to improve analysis, decision making, and overall operations.  They are right – but the challenge is how to sell that message to enterprise executives.

It’s not easy to find products that fully support Project Management principles; it is even harder to find such support in the Software as a Service (SAAS) arena.  For a large enterprise willing to spend five or six figures on an enterprise project management solution, options abound. 

 

For the small team or independent project manager, the tradeoff is between collaboration features of an online service versus robust planning functionality available in desktop planning software.