urisa 2019 gis management survey: summary of results · organizations. 1.4 survey data reliability...

Urban and Regional Information Systems Association

URISA 2019 GIS MANAGEMENT SURVEY: SUMMARY OF RESULTS

Authors:

Peter Croswell, President Croswell-Schulte IT Consultants, Inc.

Ed Wells, GISP, retired

Rebecca Somers, President

Somers-St. Claire GIS Management Consultants

June 2020

Summary of 2019 URISA GIS Management Survey, November 2019 i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction and Survey Background ............................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background .......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Purpose ............................................................................................................................................... 1 1.3 Schedule .............................................................................................................................................. 1 1.4 Survey Data Reliability ......................................................................................................................... 1

2. Survey Instrument and Approach .................................................................................................. 2 2.1 Survey Design Overview ....................................................................................................................... 2 2.2 Survey Promotion and Response Summary .......................................................................................... 2 2.3 Survey Questions ................................................................................................................................. 2

3. Summary of Survey Responses ...................................................................................................... 3

A. Identification Information ..................................................................................................................... 3 Question A1: Respondent Locations ............................................................................................................................... 3

B. GIS Organizational Context .................................................................................................................... 4 Question B3: Organization Type ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Question B4: Organizational Location of GIS Office ....................................................................................................... 5

C. GIS Mission, Scope, Size, and Technical Resources ..................................................................... 6 Question C7: Size of User Community ............................................................................................................................ 6 Question C8: Public Access ............................................................................................................................................. 7 Question C9: GIS Program Scope .................................................................................................................................... 8 Question C10: GIS Architecture ...................................................................................................................................... 9 Question C11: GIS and Automated Mapping Software ................................................................................................ 10 Question C12: GIS Database Management Software ................................................................................................... 11 Question C13: GIS Database Content ........................................................................................................................... 12 Question C14: Nature of User Access to GIS ................................................................................................................ 13

D. GIS Organizational Structure and Governance ..................................................................................... 14 Question D15: Formal GIS Program Mandates ............................................................................................................. 14 Question D16: GIS Governing, Oversight, and Coordination Bodies ............................................................................ 16 Question D17: GIS Governing, Oversight, Coordination Bodies ................................................................................... 18 Question D18: GIS Funding Sources ............................................................................................................................. 19 Question D19: GIS Standards and Policies .................................................................................................................... 22

E. GIS Administration ............................................................................................................................... 24 Question E20: Number of GIS Staff ............................................................................................................................... 24 Question E21: Innovative Workplace/Work Time Practices ......................................................................................... 25 Question E22: Staff Resourcing Approaches ................................................................................................................ 26 Question E23: GIS Training and Professional Development Sources and Approaches ................................................. 27 Question E24: GIS User Support and Feedback ............................................................................................................ 29

4. Conclusion: Suggestions for Additional Analysis .......................................................................... 30

Appendix A: Survey Instrument ...................................................................................................... 31 A. Identification Information ................................................................................................................... 31 B. Organizational Context ........................................................................................................................ 32 C. GIS Program/Project Mission, Scope, Size, and Technical Resources .................................................... 33 D. GIS Organizational Structure and Governance ..................................................................................... 39 E. GIS Administration ............................................................................................................................... 42 F. Closing ................................................................................................................................................. 45

Summary of 2019 URISA GIS Management Survey, November 2019 1

1. INTRODUCTION AND SURVEY BACKGROUND

1.1 Background This report summarizes the results of a broad survey of GIS program management practices conducted by the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) in 2019. The original purpose of the survey was to support work of the URISA GIS Management Institute (GMI), a URISA Committee whose responsibilities now fall under URISA’s Professional Education Committee. The original idea for the survey was proposed during business meetings at the 2018 URISA GIS-Pro Conference (October 2018). Professional literature includes useful descriptions of the management practices of individual GIS programs and some good studies comparing a small number of GIS programs. But there is no existing source of detailed information about a large sample of GIS programs. This lack of a comprehensive “knowledge base” on GIS management practices was a key reason for undertaking this survey.

1.2 Purpose The purpose of the survey was to gather current information on a range of GIS management topics (organizational structure and coordination, governance, staffing, technical architecture, and management practices) to give a current picture of GIS management strategies. Section 2 of this report explains the survey and how it was conducted. Section 3 provides an initial, aggregate summary of survey results, but it does not include a thorough evaluation of the survey responses.

1.3 Schedule Work began on preparation of a survey instrument in February of 2019 using the Survey Monkey service. After multiple revisions and testing by independent reviewers, the survey was launched in May of 2019. The survey was widely promoted with the intent to get a broad response—from all types of GIS user organizations.

1.4 Survey Data Reliability The survey respondents cannot be said to comprise a representative statistical sample of GIS programs in general, or any subset of them. Responses were encouraged without regard to country or region, but 98% of the responses came from URISA’s primary membership area (the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean region). Nevertheless, the responses in this survey provide insights from a larger and broader cross-section of GIS programs than any other recent survey known to the authors.


2. SURVEY INSTRUMENT AND APPROACH

2.1 Survey Design Overview The Survey Monkey Web service was used to design the survey instrument and accept responses from the GIS community. The survey instrument made appropriate use of different survey question types available in Survey Monkey, with a heavy use of checkbox and radio button responses to avoid the need for major text entry by responses. Most questions did include an optional comment box allowing respondents to elaborate on their selected answers. Appendix A shows the survey format details.

2.2 Survey Promotion and Response Summary The survey was open for responses for approximately seven weeks (May 12 to June 27, 2019). There were 572 usable responses. It was conducted as an open survey, which encouraged responses from a wide range of GIS user organizations worldwide. Considerable promotion was conducted using email solicitations, press releases, Web-based announcements from organization Web pages (URISA and sister professional associations), and promotion by URISA corporate members. While the survey was promoted for international participation, it was acknowledged that promotion channels tended to focus on GIS programs in the USA, Canada, and the Caribbean.

2.3 Survey Questions The survey included 26 questions on GIS characteristics, organization, and operations. (see Appendix A for the questionnaire). The questions were organized into six sections as follows:

A. Identification Information A1. Respondent Identification Information A2. GIS Name and Web Site

B. Organizational Context B.3 Type of Organization B.4 GIS Organization Location B.5 Org Size Metrics

C. GIS Program/Project Mission, Scope, Size, and Technical Resources

C.6 Mission

C.7 Size of User Community

C.8 Public Access

C.9 GIS Program Scope

C.10 GIS Architecture

C.11 GIS Software

C.12 Database Management SW

C.13 GIS Database Content

C.14 Nature of User Access

D. GIS Organizational Structure and Governance D.15 Formal Mandates or Instruments D.16 Governing. Oversight, Coordination Bodies D.17 Level of GIS Centralization D.18 Funding Sources/Financing D.19 Standards and Policies

E. GIS Administration E.20 GIS Staff E.21 Innovative Workplace/Work Time Practices E.22 Flexible Staff Resourcing E.23 Training/Prof Development Approaches E.24 Methods, Approaches for User Feedback and Support

F. Closing F.25 Additional Comments F.26 Use Restrictions


3. SUMMARY OF SURVEY RESPONSES

This Section includes a summary of survey responses in aggregate form using tables and graphs to present data from specific survey questions.

NOTE: Table and Figure numbers in this Section correspond to the survey question numbers.

A. Identification Information

Question A1: Respondent Locations

Questions A1 and A2: Please provide your name, contact information, GIS program/project name, and website.

Results: 90% of the responses came from the United States (517 total), 7% from Canada (39), and 3% from other countries (16). Figure A1 shows the number of responses from each US state.

The provinces of origin of Canadian respondents include: Alberta (14), British Columbia (9), New Brunswick (1), Ontario (14), and Saskatchewan (1).

Other respondent countries of origin include: Afghanistan (2), Australia (2), Barbados (1), Brazil (1), British Virgin Islands (1), India (1), Jamaica (2), Kazakhstan (1), Oman (1), Tanzania (1), United Kingdom (1), and Zambia.

The number of responses from USA states is shown in Figure A1.

Figure A1: Respondents by US States


B. GIS Organizational Context Section B included 3 questions about the organization type, organizational location of GIS program management, and organization size metrics.

Question B3: Organization Type

Question B3: Type of Organization. Check all that apply [17 choices provided]

Results (see also Figure B3): Responses came from 452 public-sector organizations and 120 others. Over half of the total responses came from municipal and county government GIS programs, and another 25% came from state, federal, and other public agency programs. About 10% were from private sector companies, about 8% were from academic and non-profit organizations, and about 2% were from other organization categories. While this question allowed multiple selections, the vast majority of respondents chose a single organization type.

Figure B3: Number of Responses by Organization Type

(1) includes military bases and ports or airports managed independently from government jurisdictions

(2) includes school districts, transit authorities, park districts, conservation districts, or other special districts with a specific operational authority/responsibility over a defined geographic area

(3) includes councils of government, regional planning or economic development agencies, other quasi-governmental regional bodies

(4) Includes utilities in local government departments and public utility districts or commissions

(5) includes regional municipalities and Consolidated metro governments


Question B4: Organizational Location of GIS Office

Question B4: What is the organizational location of your organization’s central GIS office (if applicable)? (Select one of six choices)

Results (see also Figure B4 and Table B4): For most respondent’s GIS programs, the central GIS office is located in the organization’s IT department, or in a line department. However, one-sixth of the programs have no central office at all.

Survey results, as a percentage of total respondents, are depicted in Figure B4. Table B4 shows the number and percent of responses—aggregated for all respondents and just for public sector respondents.

Figure B4: Organizational Location of GIS Office-Percent of Respondents

(1) Examples of "other" include: Corporate or regional office of private company, office under a legislative body, separate GIS Department, academic or research office/lab, elected local government office (e.g., Assessor), special/independent program, multiple offices have GIS management role

(2) Contracted with private company or not-for-profit organization

(3) Separate GIS office or department not part of another department

(4) In an organization executive office (e.g., City Manager's Office, Governor's Office, etc.)

Table B4: Organizational Location of GIS Office Numbers and Percent of responses—aggregated for all respondents and just for public sector respondents

All Responses Public Sector Organizations (1)

Organizational Location

Number of Responses

Percent of Total Respondents

Number of Responses

Percent of Public Sector Respondents

No Central Office: 99 17% 57 13%

Organization's Executive Office (4) 43 8% 33 7%

Separate GIS Department (3) 27 5% 20 4%

Organization's Line Department 162 28% 141 31%

IT Department 183 32% 167 37%

Contracted (2) 4 1% 4 1%


Other (1) 54 9% 30 7%

(1) Includes: Federal/National government, State/Provincial government, County, Municipal, Public Utility, Regional Agency, Special Service District

C. GIS MISSION, SCOPE, SIZE, AND TECHNICAL RESOURCES

Section C included eight questions about the organization’s GIS mission, scope, user community, public access, technical architecture, software, and database content.

Question C7: Size of User Community

Question C7: Please characterize the size and nature of your GIS user community--number of users inside your organization (internal), in other organizations (external), or public users that you support. Estimates are OK.

Results (see also Tables C7(a) and (b)): The number of users varied widely among the respondents:

Desktop users: Average = 99 (Range = 0 to 10,000)

Internal web-based users: Average = 406 (Range = 0 to 27,000)

External users: Average = 60,396 (Range = 0 to 10 million) Tables C7(a) and C7(b) show the aggregated results, for all responses and for public sector respondents, respectively, for the number of users supported by the GIS program. Numbers are shown separately for desktop users, internal Web-based users, and external users.

Table C7(a): Number of GIS Users—All Responses

Desktop Users Internal Web Users External Users (1)

Number of Users

Number of Responses

Percent of Total

ResponsesNumber of Responses

Percent of Total


Percent of Total

Responses

0 to 10 278 49% 188 33% 283 49%

11 to 20 92 16% 41 7% 22 4%

21 to 40 64 11% 56 10% 21 4%

41 to 75 46 8% 82 14% 24 4%

76 to 150 43 8% 72 13% 33 6%

151 to 300 20 3% 51 9% 26 5%

301 to 500 11 2% 31 5% 21 4%

Over 500 18 3% 51 9% 142 25%

(1) Users in other organizations (including general public) regularly accessing the GIS through Web-based or other connections.


Table C7(b): Number of GIS Users—Public Sector Responses (1)

Desktop Users Internal Web Users External Users (2)

Number of Users

Number of Responses

Percent of Total


Percent of Total


Percent of Total

Responses

0 to 10: 220 49% 130 29% 209 46%

11 to 20: 71 16% 30 7% 15 3%

21 to 40: 51 11% 44 10% 15 3%

41 to 75: 37 8% 72 16% 15 3%

76 to 150: 36 8% 61 13% 27 6%

151 to 300: 15 3% 48 11% 19 4%

301 to 500: 8 2% 27 6% 19 4%

Over 500: 14 3% 40 9% 133 29%

(1) Includes the following respondent organization types: Federal/National government, State/Provincial government, County, Municipal, Public Utility, Regional Agency, Special Service District

(2) External organizations (outside of the GIS program’s parent organization) or public access.

Question C8: Public Access

Question C8: Do you currently provide, or plan to provide in the near future, access to GIS applications or data for the general public (citizens, customers, businesses)?

Results: Almost all respondents (85%) provided public access to GIS data or applications, or will soon. For public-sector organizations, the affirmative response was 91%. Of those that did not offer or plan to offer public access, about half are private firms. Most of the rest are public agencies, educational institutions, or non-profits that are managing protected information such as underground infrastructure, student records, health care records, military support, or police investigations information.


Question C9: GIS Program Scope

Question C9: What is the organizational scope of your GIS program or project? Select the one choice that most closely characterizes your organization's GIS environment [4 choices provided]

Results (see also Figure C9 and Table C9): Almost two-thirds of the respondents had single-organization, multi-departmental GIS. 16% were multi-organizational, 13% served a single department, and the rest supported a specific project. Relatively few of the project-based GIS were in public-sector organizations.

Survey results, as a percentage of total respondents, are depicted in Figure C9. Table C9 shows the number and percent of responses—aggregated for all respondents and just for public sector respondents.

Figure C9: Organizational Scope of GIS Program

Table C9: Organizational Scope of GIS Program

All Responses Public Sector Responses (1)

Organizational Scope Number of Responses

Percent of Respondents

Number of Responses

Percent of Public Sector

Respondents

Project-based: 39 7% 13 3%

Departmental: 72 13% 60 13%

Multi-Departmental: 367 64% 304 67%

Multi-Organizational: 94 16% 75 17%


Multi‐Departmental (64%)

Project‐Based (7%)

Departmental (13%)Multi‐Organizational (16%)


Question C10: GIS Architecture

Question C10: GIS Architecture: Four general types of GIS architecture are defined below [see Appendix A, Question C10 for the definitions]. Which of the four types most closely describes the GIS architecture for your organization? If your GIS fits more than one type, select multiple types.

Results (see also Figure C10 and Table C10): Over half of the respondents had integrated enterprise GIS. Single-user/disconnected systems, and federated systems, each comprised 14%. Standalone systems were the least common, at 8%. Another 12% were hybrids, having the characteristics of more than one type.

Survey results, as a percentage of total responses (multiple selections were permitted), are depicted in Figure C10. Table C10 shows the number and percent of responses—aggregated for all respondents and just for public sector respondents

Figure C10: GIS Architectures Used by Respondents’ GIS Programs Percentage of all responses

Table C10: GIS Architectures Used by Respondents’ GIS Programs

Single-user or Decentralized

GIS Federated

GIS

Standalone Enterprise

GIS

Integrated Enterprise

GIS

ALL RESPONSES:

Number of Responses: 117 125 73 346

Percent of Responses: 18% 19% 11% 52%

PUBLIC SECTOR RESPONSES (1):

Number of Responses: 77 84 57 293

Percent of Responses: 15% 16% 11% 57%



Question C11: GIS and Automated Mapping Software

Question C11: What GIS and automated mapping software is currently being used by your organization or is in the process of deployment? For each choice select one "level of use" (None, Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, Very High). The "level of use" selection is a subjective characterization of the number of users and frequency of use of the software. If there are plans for future deployment and use of the software (in about the next 3 years), check the "Future Use" box. Please select a choice for each software type. (NOTE: Choices included 14 of the most popular commercial and open source software and an “Other” choice).

Results (see also Figure C11): The respondents were overwhelmingly using Esri software, with smaller groups using AutoDesk, open source, and Bentley software:

Esri products: ArcGIS Desktop (87%); ArcGIS Server (64%); ArcGIS Online (54%)

Autodesk AutoCAD: 20%

Open source: 8% (various tools)

Bentley: 8%

Responses concerning future use did not suggest any significant changes in market share.

Survey results, as a percentage of total respondents, are depicted in Figure C11—for responses of “High” and “Very High”.

Figure C11: GIS Software Use Percent of Respondents that cited current level of use of “High” and “Very High”


Question C12: GIS Database Management Software

Question C12: What database management software is used to store and manage your GIS database? Check all that apply. (NOTE: Choices include 6 of the most popular DBMS software and choices for “None” or “Other”).

Results (see also Figure C12 and Table C12): Two-thirds of the respondents used Microsoft SQL Server. Other frequently-reported products included MS Access or Excel; Oracle; PostgreSQL; and MySQL. 13% do not use any database software.

The results (percentage of total respondents) are presented in Figure C12 and Table C12.

Figure C12: Database Management Software Used with GIS—Percent of Total Respondents

Table C12: Database Management Software Used with GIS

Database Management Software

Number of Responses

Percent of Total Respondents

No Database Management Software 77 13%

Oracle 102 18%

Microsoft SQL Server 385 67%

IBM DB2 9 2%

Microsoft Access or Excel 120 21%

PostgreSQL (1) 81 14%

MySQL (1) 38 7%

Other (2) 30 5%

(1) Open source software

(2) Commonly noted “Other” selections included respondent comments of “do not know”, SQL Server Express ArcGIS File Geodatabase, ArcGIS Data Store


Question C13: GIS Database Content

Question C13: Check the appropriate boxes to indicate the types of data currently in your GIS database or being developed now (“Current column) or planned for the future (about the next three years) (“Planned” column). Select a minimum of two data types [of the 41 types] below. Leave blank any data types which do not apply to your GIS program.

Result: GIS database content varied according to the mission of the program. Frequency of use within the sample gives an idea of which data themes are general-purpose and which are specialized.

In 66%+ of the GIS databases: Administrative area boundaries; imagery; roads/highways; elevation; government unit boundaries; cadastral/parcels; land use/zoning; addresses; flood zones; landmarks; inland water bodies; railroads; recreation sites/facilities.

In 50% - 65% of the GIS databases: planimetric features (buildings, structures); flood/drainage control facilities; cultural historical resources; land cover; geodetic/survey control; soils/agriculture; water supply system; transportation routes; wastewater system; demography.

In 33% - 49% of the GIS databases: telecommunications facilities; water/petroleum/gas pipelines; aviation facilities; permit/inspection locations; wells (water, oil, gas); natural hazards; geology; public safety incidents; biodiversity/ecosystems; electric/gas distribution.

In 14% - 33% of the GIS databases: electric/gas generation and transmission; ocean and coastlines; geomorphology/landforms; aquifers/subsurface water; UAV data; climate/weather; indoor/inside plant facilities.


Question C14: Nature of User Access to GIS

Question C14: Nature of user access to GIS software and data. For each choice select one "level of use" (None, Very Low, Low, Moderate, High, Very High). The "level of use" selection is a subjective characterization of the number of users and frequency of access to the GIS or products. Select a response for each of the access types below.

“Nature of Access” identifies common technical environments and hardware platforms from which users access GIS as well as use of products generated from GIS (i.e., no direct GIS access). Results (see also Table C14):

Most respondents reported high or very high use of desktop access.

About half reported high or very high use of internal web-based access and external web-based access.

A smaller proportion reported high or very high use of mobile apps and cloud-based GIS. Almost half reported high or very high use of GIS products (e.g., maps), but no direct access to software or web services.

Table C14 shows the number of responses and percentage of total responses (Number/Percent) to characterize the way in which users access GIS or GIS products.

Table C14: Nature of User Access (Shows number of responses and percentage of total responses)

Internal Web-based

Access

External Web-based Access (1)

Desktop GIS

Mobile Apps or Services

(2)

Externally Hosted or

Cloud-based GIS

Regular Use of GIS

Products Other (4)

No Users: 59/11% 74/14% 0/0% 60/11% 136/25% 32/6% 523/96%

Low: 67/12% 65/12% 53/10% 119/22% 103/19% 85/16% 6/1%

Moderate: 126/23% 131/24% 100/18% 162/30% 102/19% 170/31% 12/2%

High: 157/29% 136/25% 196/36% 110/20% 98/18% 147/27% 9/2%

Very High: 137/25% 122/22% 204/37% 61/11% 61/11% 97/18% 10/2%

(1) External organization and/or public

(2) Access from mobile device (tablet computer, smartphone) with or without wireless connection

(3) Use maps, data or other products generated by the GIS without direct access to software or Web service

(4) Common “Other” responses included: 3rd Party software integrated with GIS, internal cloud, virtual terminal (e.g., Citrix) access to GIS server, download of GIS data


D. GIS Organizational Structure and Governance Section D solicited responses to five questions covering information about formal mandates for GIS, coordination bodies, level of GIS management centralization, funding sources, and standards/policies.

Question D15: Formal GIS Program Mandates

Question D15: Identify any formal mandates or administrative and legal instruments authorizing or enabling your GIS program or project or formalizing services or relationships with external organizations. Check all that apply. [14 choices provided]

Results (see also Figure D15 and Table D15):

Almost half of the respondents reported no formal authorization of their GIS program.

One-third of the programs used data-sharing licenses or agreements.

Between 10% and 20% were authorized by memorandum of agreement; service level agreement; legislative statute, regulation or ordinance; multi-participant or interlocal agreement; formal policy; program or project charter; contract with a private-sector entity; or subscriptions for membership or participation.

Survey results, as a percentage of total respondents, are depicted in Figure D15. Table D15 shows the number and percent of responses—aggregated for all respondents and just for public sector respondents.

Figure D15: Formal Mandates or Instruments Enabling GIS Program or Project—Percent of Total Respondents


Table D15: Formal Mandates or Instruments Enabling GIS Program or Project

All Responses Public Sector Responses (1)

Type of Mandate or Instrument Number of Responses

Percent of Total

RespondentsNumber of Responses

Percent of Public Sector Respondents

No Formal Mandate or Instrument 251 44% 188 42%

Legislative Statute, Regulation, or Ordinance 91 16% 81 18%

Legislative Resolution 14 2% 13 3%

Judicial or Court Case/Ruling 7 1% 5 1%

Executive Order or Resolution 26 5% 24 5%

Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) or Similar Instrument 108 19% 87 19%

Service Level Agreement (SLA) 104 18% 79 17%

Contract with Private Sector Entity 68 12% 39 9%

Program or Project Charter 70 12% 51 11%

Formal Policy 70 12% 56 12%

Data Sharing License or Agreement 192 34% 154 34%

Subscriptions for Membership or Participation 59 10% 42 9%

Multi-Participant or Interlocal Agreement 82 14% 75 17%

Other 37 6% 24 5%



Question D16: GIS Governing, Oversight, and Coordination Bodies

Question D16: Identify any GIS governing, oversight, and coordination bodies in place or planned for implementation. Check all that apply.


Almost half of the respondents reported having no formal coordinating body for their GIS program.

15% to 27% of the programs had a user group; advisory IT/GIS oversight body; steering or coordinating committee; work group/task force; technical committee; or a governing/policy body with decision authority.

Survey results, as a percentage of total respondents, are depicted in Figure D16. Table D16 shows the number and percent of responses—aggregated for all respondents and just for public sector respondents. This question permitted multiple selections.

Figure D16: GIS Program Governing/Oversight/Coordinating Bodies-Percent of total respondents


Table D16: GIS Program Governing/Oversight/Coordinating Bodies


(2) Common “Other” responses included: a) State coordinating bodies, b) existing, non-GIS-specific bodies with GIS coordination role


Question D17: GIS Governing, Oversight, Coordination Bodies

Question D17: How would you characterize the level of centralization of GIS management and technical support in your organization? "Highly Decentralized" means that there is no centralized GIS management and support staff in a central office-- all GIS staff and technical services are distributed among multiple departments, divisions, and offices in the organization. "Highly Centralized" means all or most GIS management and support staff and services are organizationally located in a central GIS office. Slide the bar marker to a location between these extremes to provide a subjective indication of the level of centralization on a scale of 0 to 100, with 100 being most centralized. Results (see also Figure D17 and Table D17): The majority of programs were rated as highly or very highly centralized. The average rating was 66, with a standard deviation of + 31.

Figure D17: Level of Centralization of GIS Program Management and Technical Support

Table D17: Level of Centralization of Management and Technical Support Centralization Category

with Slide Bar (1) Number Range

Number of Responses

Percentage of Total

Respondents

Very Low (0-10) 57 10%

Low (11-25) 47 6%

Moderate (26-50) 91 16%

High (51-90) 206 43%

Very High (>90) 183 25%

(1) “Slide bar number” is the number assigned by the Survey Monkey side bar question type (from 0 to 100) based on slide bar position entered by the respondents


Question D18: GIS Funding Sources

Question D18: What type of funding sources and financing strategies does your organization use (or has used in the past) to support GIS development and operations? Check all [of the 16 choices provided] that apply in the appropriate column: “None” means 0%, "Minor" means less than about 5%, "Moderate" means about 5% to 40%, and "Major" means greater than about 40%, of your total annual GIS budget. Select a response for each of the funding types. Estimates are OK.


58% of the GIS programs receive moderate or major funding from annual general fund allocations

37% receive moderate or major funding from line items in Departmental budgets

19% receive moderate or major funding from annual general fund allocations

No more than 10% receive major or moderate funding from any other source.

Survey results, as a percentage of all responses of “Major” and “Moderate” are depicted in Figure D18. Table D18 shows the percent of responses—aggregated for all respondents and just for public sector respondents for all survey responses choices (“None”, “Minor”, “Moderate”, “Major”). Multiple responses were allowed for this question.

Figure D18: Funding Sources for All GIS Programs and Projects (Percentage of Responses citing “Moderate” or “Major”)


Table D18: Funding Sources for GIS Programs and Projects-Percent of Respondents

ALL RESPONSES PUBLIC SECTOR*

Type/Source of Funding No

ne

Min

or

Mo

der

ate

Maj

or

No

ne

Min

or

Mo

der

ate

Maj

or

Other (1) 93% 1% 2% 5% 90% 1% 1% 3%

Sponsorships from private sector or non-profit organizations 97% 2% 1% 0% 94% 1% 0% 0%

Web site advertising revenue 99% 1% 0% 0% 95% 0% 0% 0%

Donations or gifts 97% 2% 1% 1% 94% 1% 0% 0%

Joint project contributions (2) 82% 12% 4% 2% 79% 11% 4% 2%

License fees (e.g., revenue from licensees of data) 94% 4% 2% 1% 90% 4% 1% 0%

External sale of GIS products or services 74% 18% 3% 5% 74% 19% 2% 0%

Allocation from permits or other transaction fee (4) 88% 8% 3% 2% 82% 9% 3% 2%

Grants from external organizations (5) 77% 14% 5% 5% 75% 14% 4% 3%

Funding from special program (6) 75% 16% 5% 4% 70% 17% 5% 4%

User Fees/Charge-back 79% 14% 4% 3% 78% 12% 4% 2%

Bond (7) 96% 2% 1% 1% 92% 3% 0% 1%

Fixed allocation with user agencies (8) 83% 8% 5% 4% 80% 8% 5% 3%

Capital or Special Fund budget allocation 63% 18% 11% 8% 58% 19% 11% 8%

Line items in Departmental budgets (9) 40% 22% 18% 19% 35% 22% 18% 21%

Annual General Fund allocation for GIS 30% 13% 17% 41% 24% 11% 15% 45%

*Includes the following respondent organization types: Federal/National government, State/Provincial government, County, Municipal, Public Utility, Regional Agency, Special Service District

Footnotes for Figure D18 and Table D18:

(1) Other funding sources and approaches reported by respondents include a) portion of utility service fee and other governmental enterprise funds, b) contract fees from clients (for private sector product and service companies), c) internal service fees to departments based on usage metrics, d) special federal government program funds (e.g., for tribal governments from U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs), e) state gas tax and Federal transportation funding (for State DOT GIS programs), f) money allocated from special projects that have a GIS component, g) Ad valorem tax revenue (for government taxing authorities)

(2) Funding contributions provided by multiple organizations based on formal or informal agreement for GIS products/services (e.g., joint funding for aerial imagery or LiDAR data acquisition and processing)

(3) Fees based on specific terms of license agreement with the GIS organization and a user G IS data or services (internal or external organization). Most license focus on data but could include other products or services (e.g., GIS software access).


(4) Includes portion of fees from existing fee-based services including building permits, stormwater utility, fees from recorded land-related documents (deeds, plats)

(5) Grant funding--normally provided through an approved grant application by a government organization. This may include rant programs that identify GIS or other grant programs which do not specifically reference GIS but which will use GIS technology for grant related work

(6) Any special program, normally at State, Provincial, or national government level such as NextGen 911, Bureau of Indian Affairs funding (for Tribal governments in the USA

(7) Approved government bond that provides up-front funding for GIS development along with a clear method for financing and paying back the bond over a prescribed period of time.

(8) A negotiated, fixed amount to be contributed by a specific department or organization to support central GIS operations

(9) Other department, not GIS office, allocates funds for GIS program or project in line items in their general fund budgets


Question D19: GIS Standards and Policies

Question D19: Identify the types of formal GIS standards or policies that you have or are developing. Select a response for each of the standards/polices types below. [For each standard/policy choice, choices allowed were: “None or Not Applicable”, Planned for Preparation”, “Partially Prepared”, “Near Completion”, or “Complete/Approved”]

Results (see also Figure D19 and Table D19): Almost all of the standards and policies below have been implemented (or nearly so) by 30%-42% of the GIS programs.

Survey results, as a percentage of total respondents, are depicted in Figure D19. Table D19 shows the number and percent of total respondents. This question permitted multiple selections.

Figure D19: Standards and Policies of GIS Programs Percent of total respondents indicating "Near Completion" or "Complete/Approved"


Table D19: Standards and Policies of GIS Programs--Percent of Total Respondents


E. GIS Administration Section E included five questions covering a range of GIS program administration and operational topics, including GIS staffing and resourcing, workplace/work time practices, training/professional development, and methods for user feedback and support.

Question E20: Number of GIS Staff

Question E20: How many GIS staff members are in your organization's central GIS office (if applicable) and organization as a whole--including GIS management, analysts, developers, database maintenance staff, trainers, technical support, administrative personnel, and others? Answer as number of full-time equivalents (FTEs) including employees and contract staff but do NOT include interns. Do NOT include users of GIS unless they also have a primary role in GIS technical support or development. Estimates are OK.

Results (see also Figure E20 and Table E20):

Almost 40% of the programs had three or fewer GIS staff (central GIS office and staff in other departments combined).

Another 30% had 4-10 staff.

15% had 11-25 staff, and

16% had 26+ staff.

Survey results, as a percentage of total respondents, are depicted in Figure E20 in nine classification ranges. Table E20 shows the actual percentages.

Figure E20: Number of GIS Staff


Table E20: Number of GIS Staff-Percent of Total Respondents

Number of GIS Staff Members

Central GIS Office

Other Departments in Organization

0 to 3 57% 53%

4 to 6 16% 11%

7 to 10 12% 9%

11 to 15 3% 3%

16 to 20 2% 5%

21 to 25 1% 1%

26 to 35 2% 2%

36 to 50 2% 3%

More than 50 1% 6%

Question E21: Innovative Workplace/Work Time Practices

Question E21: Please identify and provide comments about any innovative workplace and work time practices now in place for your GIS program or project or in the process of being implemented. Check all that apply (8 choices provided).

Results (see also Figure E21):

The most common practices were the use of web-based meeting/collaboration tools; flextime for employees; employee wellness programs; and telecommuting/remote work policies.

Less common practices included formal awards and recognition events; improvement to office design and amenities; and open office floor plans.

The percentage of all respondents for the choices is depicted in Figure E21.

Figure E21: Innovative Workplace/Work Time Practices

(1) “Other” practices reported include: a) quarterly or semi-annual meetings with external collaborating organizations, b) scheduled meetings with oversight/policy bodies, c) GIS "student of the year" award, d)


allocate fixed percentage of employee time for professional/personal development, e) experimenting with "stand-up desks" for interested staff, f) special duty assignments for best performers, course tuition waivers and conference fees covered, g) work on improving ADA compliance, h) planned meetings and events to engage elected officials and public, i) monetary bonuses based on performance (mainly private sector), j) cross-training of staff, j) enhanced office decor, k) more comfortable furniture, l) Agile development methodologies to improve interaction, morale, and productivity.

(2) fewer fixed work locations, common areas, fewer walls/partitions

Question E22: Staff Resourcing Approaches

Question E22: Identify any flexible approaches you use for staff resourcing for your GIS program or projects. "Flexible" resourcing includes any employment or staffing method other than fulltime employees. Check all that apply.


Almost two-thirds of the programs hired interns or students (65%).

A quarter to a third of the programs relied on contract staff; part-time/seasonal positions; or “borrowed” staff from other departments.

Few programs used volunteers or temporary staff.


Figure E22: Flexible Staff Resourcing in Place in GIS Programs

(1) Staff assigned to a GIS Office from other department (particularly for special project work of interest to the other department)


Question E23: GIS Training and Professional Development Sources and Approaches

Question E23: Identify the sources and approaches for training and professional development that you use or provide for your GIS staff or users which are in place now or in the process of implementation. For each choice, select the single "level of use"--a subjective indication of current use, or of anticipated use for sources/approaches now in implementation. [For each of the training/professional development choices, respondents selected one of the following to indicate level of use in the organization: “Never”, “Rarely”, “Occasionally”, “Often”, or “Very Often”.]

Results (see also Figure E23 and Table E23): For GIS training and professional development, 40% - 50% of the respondents often or very often used conference attendance; professional reading (print or online); recorded (self- paced) online courses or webinars; and live online courses or webinars.

Figure E23 depicts the percentage of all respondents entering “Often” or “Very Often” and Table E23 shows the percentages for all of the levels of use.

Figure E23: Training and Professional Development Approaches Used by GIS Programs

(Percentage of Respondents Citing Use “Often” or “Very Often”)


Table E23: Training and Professional Development Sources and Approaches


Question E24: GIS User Support and Feedback

Question E24: What methods, approaches, and tools do you use to provide help, get feedback, and provide support to users? Check all that apply. [NOTE: 11 choices and a “No” and “Other” choice provided]


Over half of the programs used email for submittal of user requests.

40-50% provided user group meetings; system status announcements; user training opportunities; helpdesk/service desk for receiving/tracking user requests; and a phone number for user requests.


Figure E24: Approaches for Getting GIS User Feedback


4. CONCLUSION

This report presents a descriptive summary of the 572 responses to each question. As noted in Section 1, the responses cannot be taken as a representative statistical sample of GIS programs in general or any subset of them. However, the responses in this survey provides a rich dataset from a larger and broader cross-section of GIS programs than any other recent survey known to the authors.


APPENDIX A: SURVEY INSTRUMENT

A. Identification Information


B. Organizational Context


C. GIS Program/Project Mission, Scope, Size, and Technical Resources


D. GIS Organizational Structure and Governance


E. GIS Administration


F. Closing

urisa 2019 gis management survey: summary of results · organizations. 1.4 survey data reliability...

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