The Systems Approach to GIS – Soft Skills for the Workforce
INTRODUCTION - PURPOSE OF BLOG
GIS has changed from desktop to web-centric technology. It also has evolved as a system which encompasses a myriad of moving parts and pieces – it is not just about technology itself, but also how we implement, collaborate, integrate and work across various subsystems and frameworks.
How is this system implemented today by various organizations? How do we envision GIS fits in organizations’ IT ecosystem? How do we align GIS programs with such industry needs? What are changes and approaches that we must acknowledge, take action on, upskill ourselves, incorporate in curriculum? How do we build and evolve to encourage innovation?
GIS Programs (graduate and undergraduate) which perceive GIS as a System (rather than just technology/software implementation) will be most successful in fulfilling the goal of preparing students for the workforce, as well as attracting new students eager to learn relevant skills.
When we think about workforce readiness, it is important to recognize and cultivate those skills and knowledge that learners need to be successful in the workplace. It includes both technical skills and soft (also referred to essential) skills, and the ability to adapt to new challenges. In addition, balancing theoretical and practical knowledge is key.
This is a series of two blogs which define GIS as a SYSTEM, along with technical and soft skills that are important to learn for today’s GIS environment.
- Workforce Readiness - The Systems Approach - Technical Skills
- Workforce Readiness - The Systems Approach – Soft Skills
GIS TODAY
Modern GIS is a SYSTEM – in recent years there has been changes in underlining technical architecture and as well as changes in how organizations and people operate.
Thousands of cities, agencies, nonprofits, and businesses depend on GIS. Moving the focus of GIS from the desktop to the web makes it mobile, automated, responsive, interconnected, cloud based, and configurable—these themes are an integral part of a modern GIS curriculum.
This “system’s approach” is a holistic framework for connecting people, processes, and technology - to solve problems. A "systems approach" to GIS means considering a Geographic Information System not just as a standalone mapping tool, but as an integrated part of a larger organizational system, encompassing data collection, storage, analysis, visualization, and distribution, ensuring seamless interaction with other relevant systems within the organization to support decision-making across different departments and levels.
A system is composed of capabilities, software, data, technology infrastructure, people, and workflows that fulfill specific business requirements.
INDUSTRY NEEDS - WORKFORCE READINESS
Various organizations (private, public) view and implement GIS as a System.
Why - the benefit of implementing GIS as a System are:
- Enhanced Decision Making: By integrating spatial data with other relevant information, users can make more informed decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of the situation.
- Improved Efficiency: Streamlined workflows and data sharing across systems can reduce redundancy and improve operational efficiency.
- Greater Visibility: Visualizing complex data relationships through GIS maps allows for better understanding of trends and patterns.
- Better Success Rate: By adapting a holistic approach to integrate people with developing and maintaining GIS through change management and governance frameworks.
- Delivered Business Values: Through alignment of GIS with changing business needs.
Workforce Readiness
Therefore, if industry cares and perceives GIS as a system, it is logical to think that workforce skills should align. While that means that technical skills are required, it also means that soft (essential) skills and associated competencies are required as well - skills and competencies related to connecting people, processes, and capabilities. Skills and competencies related to understanding the problem at its core, collaborating, communicating, managing projects, adapting, leading, and so on.
The curriculum and instruction of GIS education must keep pace and ensure such technical and soft skills are acquired and supplemented by real-world examples and project-based learning, to become competencies. Focusing on maintaining a balance of 'keeping up with technology' and equipping students with 'durable' (or 'transferable' or 'soft skills') that will help them succeed throughout their career, is important.
In addition, the foundational concepts change more slowly than technology. Some foundational concepts have evolved, and new concepts have emerged. If one understands the concepts, it is easier to adjust to changes in technology.
SOFT (ESSENTIAL) SKILLS
Understanding of process and organizational structure, as well as mastering people skills are at least as important (if not more important), than the technical skills for developing a GIS system. And often what is lacking is the understanding of the people and process side of a systems approach to GIS thinking.
The durable/soft skills are not unique to GIS; how do they get incorporated through courses?
If we think about GIS as a System which has the components above, it is logical to organize skills as part of these components. Some require technical skills, some lend themselves more to soft (essential) skills.
What are the soft (essential) skills that should be conveyed? Technical skills (Capabilities, Technology Infrastructure, Software, Data) are addressed in this blog.
Soft Skills to “Systems Approach”
- People - continuous refining and upskilling.
- Understanding Organizational Structure
- Understanding people and their roles and responsibilities in the organization.
- Part of planning process for a GIS System – from request for funding approval, to hiring the right people to build the right team, to continuous evolvement of stakeholder responsibilities.
- Team Skills, Problem-Solving Skills
- Communication – communicating and interacting with stakeholders (project members, customers, senior leadership, other relevant stakeholders), managing expectations, and resolving conflicts.
- Teamwork – collaborate and support each other, seek and provide feedback to improve team performance.
- Problem solving – ability to find win-win solutions to challenges.
- Leadership – the ability to inspire and motivate others, set clear goals, and provide guidance and support, and making decisions and taking responsibility for your own action for the team's performance.
- Adaptability – ability to adjust to changing needs in the workplace.
- Positive Attitude – having a positive attitude and being respectful.
- Time Management – finite timescale.
- Workplace expectations – understanding what is expected of employees in a given role.
- Active listening – being able to understand what others are saying without formulating your own response and judgement.
- Perspective taking – view situations from multiple perspectives with empathy.
- Understanding Organizational Structure
- Workflows
- Business process to secure organizational support
- Create a business case and request initial funding.
- Define geospatial strategy.
- Develop program charter with success metrics defined and secure full funding.
- Project management framework - understanding business problems to solve, defining scope of work, researching, before coming up with a solution. Project lifecycle typically involves five phases: initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closure.
- Initiation: The beginning of the project, defining the project at a high level and obtaining authorization to start the project.
- Planning: Creating a detailed plan for the project, establishing the project's scope, setting objectives, and developing resources, schedules, budgets, and risk management plans.
- Execution: Carrying out the project plan by coordinating people and resources, managing stakeholder expectations, and ensuring that project deliverables are produced.
- Monitoring and control: Tracking, reviewing, and regulating the project's progress and making changes to the project scope, schedule, and costs to ensure that the project stays on track.
- Closure: Formally closing the project by ensuring that all project work is completed, accepted, approved, and releasing project resources, and documenting lessons learned.
- Change Management framework
- Awareness: make sure everyone in the organization understands the need for change and what it entails.
- Desire: fostering a willingness to support and participate in the change by addressing individual motivations, helping them to see the benefits of the change for themselves and reducing resistance.
- Knowledge: providing the information and training needed to implement the change.
- Ability: developing the skills and behaviors necessary to implement the change by hands-on training, coaching, and practicing building competence.
- Reinforcement: ensuring that the changes are sustained over time by recognizing and rewarding success.
- Business process to secure organizational support
RESOURCES AND APPROACHES
What resources and approaches are there to balance theoretical and practical knowledge?
- Web Courses - Systems Thinking/Architecture
- eBook
- Technical Paper
- Online Resource
- Documentation
- Book – Esri Press
- Project Management Institute (PMI)
- Prosci ADKAR model
- Thinking About GIS: Geographic Information System Planning for Managers, Fifth edition by Roger Toml...
- Note, this is a dated resource, though its methodology is still applicable. Esri Press is in process of envisioning a Geospatial Strategy book, which could be a resource for the future.
- Ideas for assignments/practice that could be introduced in the classroom:
- Develop a geospatial strategy
- Develop a proposal or business case for GIS implementation project
- Develop a comprehensive project plan
- Case studies on successes of GIS programs within various types of organizations
Continuous Professional Development
As instructors, or students who take the initiative to learn on their own - how do we keep up with all the above? As GIS is ever evolving, investing time in professional development is integral for Educators and life-long learners.
There are many different methods of learning that suit all needs. Check various learning approaches in this Professional Development: Are You on Top of Your Game blog.
Next Steps and Feedback
Please leverage the resources above, in the classroom or for your own learning.
Any feedback on what is valuable, or not, is appreciated!