2010 ESIG Award Application

Apply for a 2010 URISA ESIG™ Award!

Has your organization improved the delivery and quality of government services through the application of geospatial information technology?

If so, that achievement should be recognized and shared with your peers. Nominate your organization for a prestigious URISA Exemplary Systems in Government (ESIG™) Award. Or convince a colleague to participate!

Why Participate?

"I believe the award has done two things for me professionally. The first relates to leadership. The award was a source of pride for my team and reinforced the team’s belief in my ability to pull all the pieces together to develop a product worthy of national recognition and their ability to be successful in their roles. The second relates to credibility. Many of the District’s senior leaders have little experience in GIS. However, many of these leaders are familiar with URISA. Receiving this award has reinforced their decision to entrust me with this large, complex project and has demonstrated that I can deliver despite the statistics related to failed and overly expensive IT projects.” - Don Nehmer, Capital Program Business Manager, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, WI - SewerView, 2009 ESIG Enterprise Systems Category - Distinguished System
“It was an honor to receive the ESIG award from URISA this past year. By participating in the ESIG award process we were able to exercise another reason to evaluate our system, by doing so we were able to find ways to improve our current system. We also received local media exposure because of the ESIG award, this helped us inform the Forsyth County public of how we were applying GIS for public safety in their county. This award also validated all of the hard work and development that went into this system, this helped the GIS department fortify a trust with the Forsyth County Administration.” - John Kilgore, GISP, GIS Director, Forsyth County, GA - GIS Mobile Emergency Response System (ERS), 2009 ESIG Single Process System Winner
"I really enjoyed the application process for the URISA Exemplary Systems in Government (ESIG) Award. It was simple, straightforward, and allowed the flexibility to explain what really makes your product or service better than the rest. It doesn’t matter how big or small your project or scope of service is, there is a category in which you will qualify. Winning the award was very exciting and considering that the award process is peer-reviewed it really means a lot to be recognized by the best in the industry.
Since winning the ESIG Award, the City of Airdrie has received numerous inquiries into our approach to Municipal Census delivery. We never imagined we would get the exposure we continue to receive from winning the award. Thanks, URISA, for the experience, opportunity, and recognition. The City of Airdrie really appreciates the honor in which we have been bestowed. Thank you very much!" - Corey Halford, Data Services Team Leader, City of Airdrie, AB Canada - Online Census, 2009 Single Process System Winner
"By participating in the ESIG process we are able to demonstrate how GIS technology benefits the whole organization in a very broad scope. Winning the award also greatly increased “GIS awareness” in the organization. The project eventually received an internal “City Manager Award”, boosting the importance of GIS in the organization’s technology environment." - Nianwei Liu, GISP, Senior System Analyst, City of Charlotte, NC - Virtual Charlotte, 2009 ESIG Enterprise Systems Category Winner
"One of the most rewarding aspects of participating in the ESIG Awards process was the rare opportunity to formally acknowledge the outstanding efforts of our staff and regional partner agencies for their collaborative work. Recognition of their achievements by URISA's respected community of GIS professionals and peers has provided quite a charge." - Eric Brandt, GISP, GIS Program Manager, Lane Council of Governments, OR - Regional Land Information Database (RLID), 2009 ESIG Enterprise Systems Category - Distinguished System

All applications will be reviewed by the ESIG™ Committee and winners will be notified in early August, 2010. Winners will be recognized during the Awards Ceremony at URISA’s 2010 Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida and one person from each winning system will receive a complimentary full registration for the conference (Distinguished System winners will receive a discounted registration). Following the conference, winners will receive additional recognition in URISA publications and an announcement of their accomplishment will be made to media representatives around the world.

In order for the ESIG™ Review Team to fairly evaluate each system, specific information (A-F below) must be included in your submission. When submitting this application, send it as an email attachment to info@urisa.org in PDF or Microsoft Word format. Include “ESIG™ Application” in the email subject field. URISA no longer accepts applications in paper form.

Provide all requested information in your submission. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The application deadline has been extended to May 10, 2010

Downloadable application

A. System

Name of system and ESIG™ category for which you are applying (Enterprise System or Single Process System).
ESIG™ Award Categories:

Enterprise Systems: Systems in this category are outstanding and working examples of using information systems technology in a multi-department environment as part of an integrated process. These systems exemplify effective use of technology yielding widespread improvements in the process(es) and/or service(s) involved and/or cost savings to the organization.
Single Process Systems: Systems in this category are outstanding and working examples of applying information system technology to automate a specific SINGLE process or operation involving one department or sub-unit of an agency. The system application results in extended and/or improved government services that are more efficient and/or save money.

       3. A letter from the executive administrator authorizing submission of the system application (letters must be signed and scanned).
       4. One (1) page, or less, summary of what the system accomplishes and why it is exemplary.
       5. Three “user testimonials”. These testimonials should include the title of the system, the person’s name, job title (if relevant), a statement of what specific ways the system improves their work and/or the work of their organization, and how frequently they use the system (testimonials may be signed and scanned).

B. Jurisdiction

Name of jurisdiction
Population served by the organization/agency
Annual total budget for jurisdiction
Name, title, and address of chief elected and/or appointed official
Name, title, address, telephone, FAX, and email for contact person for system

You must answer each of the following questions. Please cross-reference your responses to each of the topics/questions listed below. Be sure that your responses are clearly written and sufficiently comprehensive for reviewers to develop a clear understanding of the system. Responses should be in complete sentences and as brief as possible while communicating the necessary information. If appropriate, include graphics.

C. System Design

What motivated the system development?
What specific service or services was the system intended to improve?
What, if any, unexpected benefits did you achieve?
What system design problems were encountered?
What differentiates this system from other similar systems?

D. Implementation

What phases did you go through in developing the system?
Were there any modifications to the original system design? Why? What?

E. Organizational Impact

What user community does the system serve and how?
What are the ultimate decisions/operations/services being affected? If appropriate, provide a few examples including, but not limited to: screen input/output forms, paper products, or other descriptive graphics.
What were the quantitative and qualitative impacts of the system?
What effect has the system had on productivity?
What, if any, other impacts has the system had?
How did the system change the way business is conducted with and/or service delivered to clients? Give specific examples comparing the old way with the new.

F. System Resources

What are the system’s primary hardware components? Give a brief list or description of the hardware configuration supporting the system.
What are the system’s primary software components? Describe the primary software and, if a commercial package, any customizations required for the system.
What data does the system work with? List and briefly describe the database(s).
What staff resources were required to implement the system? (i.e., report approximate staff and consultant time as FTE’s)
Comment on anything unusual about the resources used to develop your system, such as data, software, personnel and financing.

Application Deadline: May 10, 2010

Join the exclusive list of ESIG™ Award winners . If you’ve successfully improved the way in which government operates, through the use of geospatial information technology, you should apply for a 2010 URISA ESIG™ Award.

If you have any questions, contact URISA Headquarters at (847) 824-6300 or info@urisa.org