Determine Technology Requirements

Conduct a Technology Seminar

Once you have the approval for your project plan, the in-house GIS planning team can be activated. Defining the specific GIS requirements is the primary task in the planning process. You must meet with your customers or clients (those who will use the system or use the output from the system) to begin gathering specifics about the actual requirements from the user's perspective.

A highly effective method of soliciting input on the needs of your organization is to hold one or more in-house technology seminars.

In addition to its information-gathering purpose, the technology seminar is also an ideal opportunity for you to explain to key personnel the nature of GIS, its potential benefits, and the planning process itself. By involving stakeholders at this early stage, you help to ensure participation in the subsequent planning work ahead so that all participants will appreciate the scope of the planning process. The technology seminar is also the place where initial identification of information products begins.