Geographic Information Systems: An Introduction, 3rd Edition

17.3 Development of a Business Concept and the Identification of Goals

A thoroughly prepared business concept should form the basis for initiating GIS in any organization. Many different motives may lie behind a decision to introduce GIS. Management may wish to increase internal productivity or external competitive ability. There may be a professional interest in new technologies, or the organization may be obliged to respond to internal or external pressures to approach tasks in a new or more vigorous way.

The motives for choosing GIS must be thoroughly understood, for only then can goals be identified with sufficient clarity as to become attainable. This obvious requirement often means limiting the overall scope of the GIS project. The business concept forms the basis for defining tasks to be implemented by the organization, and the user requirements are a consequence of these tasks.

It is usual to define two types of goals: effect goals and result goals. An effect goal is linked to what one wishes to achieve with the project, which can be specified as greater efficiency, better service, or another outcome. A result goal is concrete and can involve the development of a certain database, automation of particular work process, or other such achievement. The aims should be formulated in such a way as to give as precise a description as possible of what results one hopes to attain through the project, and they must be realistic for the business. It is often natural to specify one ...