Chapter 8 GIS Project

Chapter Eight
8. Design, Implementing and Managing

GIS based project
Objectives of the chapter
After completed this unit, you will be able to:
 Discuss the main concepts of GIS based project design,

management, implementation and evaluation.
 Identify the main steps of developing sustainable GIS
project.
 Differentiate project design, implementation and
evaluation in GIS based analysis.
 Discuss the main importance of project evaluation in
GIS based analysis.
2
Introduction
• Knowledge and skills of geo-information is used to
develop and implement GIS-based project.
• Good project design and management are essential

to produce a useful and effective GIS application.
• Any design and management approach should be

adapted to meet the needs of the application, the
available technology, the users of the system and the
organizational culture in which the GIS must reside.
8.1. Developing Sustainable GIS project
Steps to Develop sustainable GIS project
1. Problem Identification
• Before developing a GIS application the problem that the GIS will
address must be identified.
• There are two techniques that can be used to assist problem
identification:
i. Creating a rich picture (a schematic view of the problem being
addressed), or
ii. Developing a root definition (a statement of an individual’s or

group’s perspective on the problem).
Cont….
• The rich picture: A rich picture is a schematic view of

the problem a project will address.
• It presents the main components of the problem, as

well as any interactions that exist.
• The root definition: The root definition is a view of a

problem from a specific perspective.
• Different users may have different views of a problem.

2. Stating aim and Objectives
3. Developing Model
• The rich picture and root definitions that define a problem must be
turned into a GIS data model.
• Here the term data model is used as a collective term for the
process of identifying all the design elements used in the
construction of a GIS project (Peuquet, 1984 and Frank and Mark,
1991).
• Worboys (1995) offers a useful solution to this confusion by
distinguishing between conceptual and physical data models.
• The conceptual data model is a high-level view that is independent
of the computer system. This is the user’s view of a problem and its
elements.
• The physical data model, on the other hand, describes the
organization of data in the computer.
Cont…..
• Therefore, from the project design and

management perspective, it is useful to think of
the GIS data model as consisting of two parts:
• The conceptual data model adds spatial detail
to the rich picture by including elements of
spatial form and spatial processes.
• The physical data model is concerned with how

to represent the conceptual model within the
computer.
For example , Cartographic modelling
• is a geographic data processing methodology that views
maps or any spatial data layer
• There are four stages in the development of a

cartographic model:
– Identify the map layers or spatial data sets required.
– Use natural language to explain the process of moving from
the data available to a solution.
– Draw a flowchart to represent graphically the process .
– Annotate this flowchart with the commands necessary to
perform these operations within the GIS.
4. Data Collection
• Both primary and secondary
• Methods of GIS data collection (refer chapter

4)
5. Perform analysis
(Implementing GIS project)
• For example:
• Select
• Extract
• Interpolation
• Overlay
• Proximity (Buffer)
• Recode
• Network
• Terrain modelling
• Spatial adjacency
• Data transformations
6. Evaluate results
• After a GIS application has been constructed, some problems may be just about
to start.
• It is important that the output produced by the system is usable, valid and
meets the goals set at the beginning of the project.
• It is a crucial part of the GIS based project analysis.
• In many cases, this may well result in adjustments to the rich picture and the GIS
data model. In extreme cases the GIS may have to be abandoned, and the
project restarted.
• There are three tests that can be used to check whether a GIS application meets
the goals set for it at the start of the design process.
• First, all the parties involved in the design and development of the GIS can be
asked if they are using the application for the purpose for which it was designed.
If they are not, or have even reverted to using the old methods, it is a sure sign
that something has gone wrong somewhere.
• The goals originally used to guide them in helping to identify the scope of the
problem may have changed as time and work priorities have altered.
Alternatively, users may find the application difficult to use, or without a key
feature. In such cases, further training, or adaptations to software, may be all
that is required to ensure that the GIS are effectively used.
• Second, the GIS output can be checked against reality.
• For example, this type of test would be appropriate for the flood
prediction model as the location of flood could be predicted before
the start of a season and then compared against actual flood at the
end of the season.
• Third, the adaptations and changes that had to be made when

moving from the rich picture through the GIS data model to the GIS
implementation can be evaluated.
• Whether these were due to knowledge deficiencies, the problem
of definition or to system adaptations because the software or data
would not permit implementation of the model as planned can be
assessed.
• If the system adaptations have dominated the development of the
application then it may be that a technical solution has been
provided that has little resemblance to the reality of the initial
7. Present results
• Finally it can present the result as:
• Hard copy maps
• Digital database
• Summaries and statistics
• Final report and recommendations
Figure: GIS acquisition process
Steps in GIS project
Major GIS based project Implementation Problems
• There is will always problems for GIS design and
development if proper planning is not done for
developing the project.
• Three of the most common problems are:
– Data in the wrong format for the GIS software;

– A lack of GIS knowledge imposing technical and
conceptual constraints on a project;
– Users of the GIS frequently changing their mind
about what they want the GIS to do.

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Chapter Eight

8. Design, Implementing and Managing

After completed this unit, you will be able to:

 Discuss the main concepts of GIS based project design,

• Good project design and management are essential

• Any design and management approach should be

ii. Developing a root definition (a statement of an individual’s or

• The rich picture: A rich picture is a schematic view of

• It presents the main components of the problem, as

• The root definition: The root definition is a view of a

• Different users may have different views of a problem.

• Therefore, from the project design and

• The physical data model is concerned with how

• There are four stages in the development of a

• Both primary and secondary

• Methods of GIS data collection (refer chapter

• Third, the adaptations and changes that had to be made when

– Data in the wrong format for the GIS software;

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