GIS and the team concept: moving GIS from the map room to the board room and kitchen table

摘要

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology is profoundly changing spatial data collection, analysis, interpretation and even the decision-making environment itself. Traditional mapping emphasizes Placement and Products--the precise placementof map features and graphical products characterizing their geographic distribution. GIS extends this link through a rich set of geo-query and display capabilities that facilitate data handling and packaging of raw data into valuable information. However, effective decision-making requires more than just data access and graphical presentation; it involves interactive Processing--the modeling of information to understand relationships and spatial sensitivities within a decision context. This presentationinvestigates the analytical procedures and critical thinking skills both specialists and decision-makers need for active involvement in GIS modeling. These tools and skills herald a revolution that moves the mapping process from the map room (datacentric) to the boardroom and community center (utility centric).