The GIS Management Handbook

NEW GIS Book—a comprehensive guide and reference for GIS managers!

Author: Peter L. Croswell, PMP, GISP, ASPRS-MS
Published by Kessey Dewitt Publications in association with URISA
Hardcover, 320pp, 8½ X 11, ISBN13: 978-0-9824093-0-5

The book is comprehensive guide and reference to the field of GIS management. It provides practical information on the development, implementation, and operation of GIS programs and projects and is valuable resource for seasoned and new GIS managers and aspiring managers. IT managers with a requirement to understand more about GIS programs in their organizations will benefit from this book as will providers of technical and management services needing to learn more about the GIS programs they serve. The book is also a useful reference for academicians and students studying or researching GIS management issues.

This book takes a practical approach providing clear descriptions of concepts, issues, and practices that may be used in operational settings, in public and private sector organizations to improve and maximize the efficiency of GIS programs and projects.  The book will cover all pertinent topics including: a) organizational structures, b) program governance, c) strategic and implementation planning, d) project planning and management, e) financial management, f) human resources and team building, g) legal concerns, policies and standards, h) technical management and administration, j) GIS office operations. Many real-world examples are provided and appendices provide detailed examples of management tools and documents that can be used by GIS managers.  A full section on “additional resources” provides an excellent guide to GIS and IT organizations, web sites, publications, and well-organized set of suggested readings.

I have written this book to serve as a guide and resource for GIS managers and staff. My intention is to provide GIS professionals and researchers with a tool to make them more effective, to support organizational improvements, and to deliver increased benefits to GIS user communities. - Peter Croswell

Read a review of THE GIS MANAGEMENT HANDBOOK which recently appeared in THE GIS PROFESSIONAL newsletter.

Author Biographical Summary: The GIS Management Handbook

Peter Croswell has 30 years experience in the IT and GIS field including work as a cartographer, GIS manager, and consultant. He has worked on GIS planning and implementation projects for a wide range of public sector organizations, utilities, and private firms throughout North America and in Europe, Asia, and Middle East.

Mr. Croswell received a bachelor's degree in geography and mathematics from the State University at Albany NY , a Master’s degree in geography and geology from Western Illinois University, and extensive post-graduate education and training in GIS, IT, and public administration. Mr. Croswell is a certified project management professional (PMP), ASPRS Mapping Scientist, and GIS Professional (GISP). He is former board member and President of URISA, and noted author with several books and numerous professional papers and publications to his credit.

He currently serves as President of Croswell-Schulte IT Consultants, a firm specializing in GIS and IT assessment, planning, design, and management support. He resides with his wife Ann in Frankfort, Kentucky.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1: GIS Management Overview and Context
• Chapter 2: GIS Program Development
• Chapter 3: Organizational Structure, Governance, and Coordination
• Chapter 4: Human Resources
• Chapter 5: Funding, Financial Mngmnt, and Multi-org. Agreements
• Chapter 6: GIS Program Legal Issues
• Chapter 7: Management of GIS Program Technical Elements
• Chapter 8: GIS Office Operations, Service Delivery, and User Support
• Chapter 9: GIS Projects and Project Management
• Chapter 10: Guide to Additional Resources for GIS Managers

Appendices:

• Appendix A: GIS Technology Status and Trends
• Appendix B: Types of Organizations that Use GIS Technology
• Appendix C: Descriptions of Successful GIS Programs
• Appendix D: Examples of Business Processes Improved by GIS
• Appendix E: Suggested Format for GIS Standards and Policy Manual
• Appendix F: Summaries of Key IT Framework Initiatives
• Appendix G: Annotated Outline for a GIS Requirements Document
• Appendix H: Cost-Benefit Evaluation Examples
• Appendix I: Sample Position Descriptions
• Appendix J: Codes of Ethics
• Appendix K: Sources and Approaches for Training and Prof. Development
• Appendix L: GIS Funding Vignettes
• Appendix M: Examples of User Satisfaction Survey

Endorsements:

"Unrivaled in today’s GIS literature, this book presents an impressive and much-needed synthesis of the finest in GIS program management and planning.  The GIS Management Handbook offers a roadmap for current and future GIS managers, providing both tangible implementation examples and comprehensive management theory.  Whether just embarking as a GIS manager, or seeking to improve and expand an existing implementation, this book provides clear and time-tested information to build a successful and enduring GIS program".

- Hilary Perkins, GISP, AICP, East-West Gateway Council of Governments, URISA President  and Founder, URISA Leadership Academy

“The GIS Management Handbook is the first book I have read that comprehensively covers all the tools GIS managers need to have in their toolbox. Beginner and seasoned GIS managers alike can learn something from this book.”

- Stuart Davis, Assistant COO for the State of Ohio, Office of Information Technology, and past-President of NSGIC

"This book fills a void and is long overdue." 

- Jury Konga, Manager of GIS Services, Town of Richmond Hill, Ontario

“….. an important addition to the literature on implementation of GIS.  Written by a highly qualified and respected GIS consultant, this book provides practical insights and guidelines that the practicing GIS professional will find of tremendous value and utility”.  

-  Nancy Obermeyer, PhD, GISP, Associate Professor of Geography, Indiana State University, and co-author of the 2008 book, Managing Geographic Information Systems

“The author has long been one of the most respected consultants in the field, and this book distills his years of experience and critical thinking on GIS management”.

- Ed Wells, GISP, GIS Manager, Washington Metro Area Transit Authority and past-President of URISA

Chapter by Chapter Overview: The GIS Management Handbook

Chapter 1, GIS Management Overview and Context, identifies and defines concepts, terminology, and key issues and provides a context for the discussion of specific program and project management topics in subsequent chapters.

Chapter 2, GIS Program Development, addresses the methodologies associated with implementing a GIS.

Chapter 3, GIS Program Organizational Structure, Governance, and Coordination, covers a range of concepts, issues, and practices in GIS program development. It addresses critical topics associated with GIS program management, including organizational structure, program planning and development, financial management, human resources, technical and operational management, and communications, among other topics.

Chapter 4, Human Resources, deals with critical aspects of managing people—creating and sustaining a productive workforce for high-quality GIS operations and services. It addresses needs for GIS staff positions and compensation, staff recruitment and hiring, and non-traditional options for staffing. This chapter provides an overview of personnel policies and legal implications, employee morale and satisfaction, approaches for effective work delegation, and employee performance evaluation. There is a passage on professional ethics, management of professional development and training, and suggestions on manager transition and stress management.

Chapter 5, Funding, Financial Management, and Multiorganizational Agreements, covers a comprehensive spectrum of topics related to GIS program finances. This includes a review of program budgeting and the policies and operational procedures for managing procurements of products and services. This chapter includes a detailed discussion of funding sources and strategies for GIS programs and ideas on revenue generation from the sale of GIS products and services. It concludes with a discussion of inter-organizational funding agreements, license fees, and collaborative agreements that support GIS program financing.

Chapter 6, GIS Program Legal Issues, includes an overview of important legal and policy issues with a focus on issues impacting geographic information management and distribution. It discusses such areas as public information access laws and exemptions, privacy considerations, liability concerns, copyright protections, records retention requirements, GIS data and product licensing, and other legal matters.

Chapter 7, Management of GIS Program Technical Elements, gives a comprehensive summary of the main technical management areas of importance to GIS programs. It gives an overview of approaches for managing technical design (system configuration, data, applications) and the development of these technical GIS components. It discusses ongoing technical management and operational concerns, including system administration, software license and support management, database maintenance, and database administration. The chapter concludes with a description of technical standards and their impact on the GIS program.

Chapter 8, GIS Office Operations, Service Delivery, and User Support, contains an overview of critical operational concerns, including workspace design, maintaining a productive work environment, user support management, monitoring user satisfaction, responding to user requests, and a range of routine operational requirements that require the attention of managers.

Chapter 9, GIS Projects and Project Management, covers project management concerns and practices from a GIS project perspective beginning with an overview of project lifecycles (based on practices espoused by the Project Management Institute. It includes a detailed discussion of project planning and estimation, project management structure, monitoring and reporting, risk management, practices for resourcing, and project communications. It also gives an overview of the use of project management software to support project planning and execution.

Chapter 10, Guide to Additional Resources for GIS Managers, identifies useful sources of information, including books, white papers, Web-based resources, professional organizations, and other information resources of value to GIS managers. These information sources are indexed topically to help readers find pertinent resources. Chapter 10 also includes a glossary of management terms.

Appendices: Multiple appendices provide actual cases of GIS program management practices and structure; templates for GIS planning and management documents; and other useful materials and examples that elaborate on topics covered in the main chapters.

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