GIS for Communities and Natural Resources LLC
  • Home
    • Overview
    • About GIS - General Info
    • How It's Done
    • Benefits of GIS
    • Terminology
    • Making-the-Connections
  • Your Best GIS
    • Economic Development
    • Municipal GIS
    • Natural Resources
    • Training
    • Urban Planning
    • Viticulture
    • Maps and projects
  • Gadgets
  • GIS Resources
  • Contact
  • About
  • Blog | GIS End-to-end

Small Town GIS

3/3/2017

2 Comments

 

How big is small?

The words large and small are open to interpretation.  However, it is my experience that there is a line between large and small where budgets and perceived need of GIS are concerned. 

When administrators do not realize or acknowledge the need for GIS, it passes by unnoticed.  It may even be summarily dismissed without any consideration at all.  In this case, the perception is "no need, therefore no budget".  Have you ever tried to convince a polar bear that he needs a freezer?  Likely not, but when it comes to making the budgetary argument for funding a small town GIS, it may well turn into a polar bear/freezer comedy.  For small towns, the cost is high, perceived need is nil, and budgets are restrictive.  In this case, the Benefits of GIS don't play a part at all - and administrators don't want to hear about it.

Generally speaking, the bigger the town the more likely that a perceived need for GIS will manifest.  At some point, larger communities become faced with having simply too much data to process when infrastructure, zoning, or park details are needed, just to name a few.  For larger towns, the question is not "If GIS" but rather "What flavor of GIS".  Being overloaded with too much information leaves the larger towns with no choice, and with less restrictive budgets, a GIS will likely be implemented.

So where is the line?  From abundant research and reading through numerous case histories of municipal GIS implementation, the line is drawn near population 10,000.  I say "near" because it is not a hard line.  Variable events that lead small towns to successful implementation include, but are not limited to:
  • skilled, forward-thinking staff;
  • skilled, forward-thinking management;
  • budgetary windfalls;
  • ability of upper management to communicate the benefits of GIS to councilors and provide training options to staff;
  • upper management and city council perceive the need and have a willingness to invest in GIS.

Every case study I read indicated that GIS goes nowhere for small towns that have no GIS Champion.  This is the person, or people, who are knowledgeable, persistent, and convincing in their arguments for the need and benefits of GIS.  Even with a GIS Champion the budget takes the rap in preventing GIS implementation, and coupled with a lack of perceived need, you may as well sell that freezer to the polar bear.

Regardless of where the budget/population line falls, all stakeholders need to be interested in the benefits of GIS and they must be willing and able to participate in the process from end-to-end.

2 Comments
Kevin Fear
3/3/2017 05:48:48 pm

If you want to start a GIS, I would say to start ASAP, especially while small. It is harder to catch up later on and the larger and faster you grow the harder it is to catch up.

I was a firm believer in GIS and have tried to get it going and once it was started, I was surprised at how much more it can do. It was unbelievable the power GIS has. It has proven to be cost savings so far.

Reply
Christopher Wolfe link
11/15/2022 04:41:21 pm

World let learn hundred onto know throw tonight. Born under part prepare scene security. Else federal score plan.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    GISCNR

    Bringing you highlights on topics ranging from gps to GIS and back again.

    Don't know what GIS is?  Click here to find out!

    Blog Author:
    D'Anne Hammond

    GIS Specialist & Owner
    GIS for Communities and Natural Resources, LLC

    Archives

    January 2018
    July 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017

    Categories

    All
    Introducing Our Blog
    Small Town GIS

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
    • Overview
    • About GIS - General Info
    • How It's Done
    • Benefits of GIS
    • Terminology
    • Making-the-Connections
  • Your Best GIS
    • Economic Development
    • Municipal GIS
    • Natural Resources
    • Training
    • Urban Planning
    • Viticulture
    • Maps and projects
  • Gadgets
  • GIS Resources
  • Contact
  • About
  • Blog | GIS End-to-end