VAMLIS GeoCon 2024

What can a single GIS Manager do to create a successful GIS strategic roadmap/plan as a one to two employee shop working with many groups but has no leadership champion to support the plan development? Have no fear it can be done. Start with developing a mission and vision statement that you feel meets your needs as a GIS Manager or lead GIS Analyst and your division’s needs. Put on your big boots, a smile and a confidence elevator talk and work through the proper chain of command. Ask for a follow-up focused discussion with leadership to gain their support to do a GIS roadmap/strategic plan, show examples to help them see ROI for the time. This approach can lead to a GIS skills and needs assessment of the department(s) and the end users.

This assessment should have at its core, the goal to answer the needs that GIS would solve, by identifying the people, processes, and technology in each department, how GIS is used, and how it could be better utilized. This will show the business value to justify the GIS value to the department. Design the roadmap it for the short term, two years to five years, then revise again, it should be a “living document”. A good strategic plan, small or big, that aligns geospatial capabilities with organizational objectives will help ensure efficiency of GIS resources and implementation.

In this presentation I will speak to the steps I took, the input I got from others, Survey 123 questionnaires for upper management and end users within VDOT Location and Design (central office and districts). I will address pros, cons, and key take aways from this phase I of a roadmap for VDOT Geospatial where nothing has existed before not even in the larger ITD Geospatial group.

Acknowledge: Kinsey Browing, Stantec and Bret Whiteley, Stantec