Organizational Impacts Sessions

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

8:00–8:45 a.m.
So Now You are a Project Manager—Tools and Strategies for the New Project Manager
Kenneth McVearry, Osmose Utilities Services, Inc.
Track: Organizational Impacts & Project Management
A

Learning Objectives:

• Gain insight on transitioning into the role of a project manager.
• Learn how to plan a new project effectively.
• Discover how to manage the project to successful completion.

Now that you've taken on the role of the project manager, how do you ensure your project gets off to a good start and then continues to run smoothly until completion? This presentation will cover the key concepts that a new project manager—as well as anyone currently managing a project—needs to understand to achieve peak performance. Topics include effective planning, communication, and problem resolution; managing scope, cost, time, quality, and risk factors, and more.

9:00–9:45 a.m.
Can I Have It Now?
Mary Adams, Georgia Power Company
Track: Organization Impacts & Project Management
A

Learning Objectives:

• Learn to identify and address organization change management issues before they occur.
• Discover lessons learned from a real-life GIS implementation.
• Learn how to track the success or remaining challenges of your change management process.

Georgia Power Company never anticipated hearing the words “Can I have it now?” when we approached our end users about changing their AutoCAD system to a GIS—we expected to hear, “My current system works fine.” By creating a comprehensive change management process, Georgia Power was able to turn its most negative critics of the new system into some of its most powerful advocates, leading to tangible business and financial benefits.
Copresenter: Deb Bradbury, Enspiria Solutions, Inc.

9:00–9:45 a.m.
The GISCI Certification Program
Scott Grams, URISA
Track: Organizational Impacts & Project Management
A

Learning Objectives:

• Get information about the GISCI application process.
• Learn about the background of GISCI as an organization.
• Gain insight on the future direction of certification and professional development.

This session will detail the GISCI certification program for GIS professionals. Started on Jan. 1, 2004, this is a recognition program for established GIS professionals. It is a non-examination, portfolio-based system. Strategies for filling out the application as well as detailed information about the history of the effort and the institute will be provided. Information about certification versus licensure and state endorsements of the program will be offered as well.

10:00–10:45 a.m.
Specifying the Knowledge and Skills That Comprise the Geospatial Field: The GI S&T Body of Knowledge
David DiBiase, Pennsylvania State University
Track: Organizational Impacts & Project Management
A

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the objectives and likely impact of the BoK.
• Become familiar with the form and content of the BoK.
• Identify priorities for a 2 nd edition of the BoK.

The Geographic Information Science and Technology Body of Knowledge (GI S&T BoK) is the most comprehensive and detailed specification to date of the knowledge and skills that comprise the geospatial field. A team of seven editors and over 70 contributors completed the GI S&T BoK in 2006 after an eight-year development process. GITA attendees will be invited to critique the first edition and to contribute to a future revised edition.

11:00–11:45 a.m.
Keys for Successful GIS Projects
Bruce Oswald, James W. Sewall Company
Track: Organizational Impacts & Project Management
A

Learning Objectives:

• Identify common project problem areas and practical solutions.
• Learn essentials on scope, cost, and schedule management.
• Recognize the importance of good contract administration and leadership to project success.

Have you ever experienced problems completing your GIS projects on time, staying within budget, maintaining upper management support, or managing consultant contracts? Both GIS professionals and administrators of GIS contracts need to understand and implement good project management practices to be successful. This presentation will introduce you to a practical approach to using project management principles to improve the delivery of your important projects and start you on the road to making them successful.

1:00–1:45 p.m.
Maximizing Value Through GIS Organizational Design
Christopher Dircks, PA Consulting Group
Track: Organizational Impacts & Project Management
A

Learning Objectives:

• View charactertistics of a successful GIS organization.
• Understand the process for determining the optimal organizational structure.
• Compare and contrast out-source, in-source, and hybrid organizational options.

GIS departments are generally built with a mix of developers, system administrators, business analysts, and data specialists. Organizations are finding these specialist spatial competencies (core database skills, Web services, and a mix of industry technologies) are difficult to develop and costly to maintain. This paper describes organizational design options and a process for determining an organization’s optimal structure. Sourcing options are compared and contrasted, with particular emphasis on the unique needs of GIS implementations.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

8:00–8:45 a.m.
Geocity—Building Common Ground
Richard C. Gorecki, City of Calgary
Track: Organizational Impacts & Project Management
A

Learning Objectives:

• Understand how to develop a strategic plan for corporate collaboration.
• Discover how to build collaboration around the use of geospatial information.
• Learn how to overcome fiscal and political barriers.

The City of Calgary has implemented a corporate program called Geocity. The overall objective is to drive collaboration between business units, in terms of the management and distribution of geographic information and services. There are complex challenges associated with implementing a program that crosses functional, political, and fiscal boundaries. A strategic plan has been developed based on the fundamental concept that geographic information be regarded as a key corporate asset.
Copresenter: Danielle Coulter, City of Calgary

8:00–8:45 a.m.
Measuring the Impact of EGIS on Organizational Effectiveness
Jeffrey Meyers, Telvent Miner & Miner
Track: Organizational Impacts & Project Management
A

Learning Objectives:

• Get an overview of the key areas from which business leaders expect organizational benefits through enterprise GIS.
• Understand the key metrics that quantify organizational effectiveness.
• Gain a methodology for measuring and interpreting the results of organizational impact of enterprise GIS.

Questions about Annual Conference 30?  Contact us!
Phone: 303-337-0513    Fax: 303-337-1001     E-mail: info@gita.org