Plan for the Planning

GIS planning should not be taken lightly. Forget about actually implementing a GIS for the moment. Just planning a GIS takes a commitment of resources and people.

Before you begin, you need to know that your organization understands the distinction between planning and implementing and that it is prepared to provide the resources needed to make the planning happen. Making the case means understanding what needs to be done and what it will take to get it done. The end result of this stage is a project proposal that makes that case and explicitly seeks approval to launch the formal planning process.

Commitment to the planning process is essential to a successful GIS implementation, especially in municipal government agencies and other public-sector organizations. The project proposal helps to secure the political commitment to the planning process. This is the moment to introduce the GIS planning process to the most senior executives of your organization. Arrange to keep them fully informed of the planning progress. If you receive approval for your planning project and a commitment of resources at this point, your chances of having a successful GIS are high.