The four dimensions of GIS
Often, institutional and administrative problems occur in organizations that use GIS; these problem must be dealt with in order to ensure successful GIS implementation. What are some of the typical problems faced by institutions?
The strong focus on technical aspects of GIS often leaves out institutional and administrative aspects
Implementing institutions are often not aware or prepared to accept that the introduction of GIS required institutional adjustments in various fields, particularly in information management.
Power struggles between institutions which can result in an unwillingness to cooperate and share information.
The access to and possession of information goes often very closely together with power distribution within an organization as well as between different organizations ("information is power"). The successful implementation of GIS requires a change of attitude on the part of decision-makers regarding the accessibility of available data. This might conflict with existing power structures within, or between, organizations.
Infoware
The quality and quantity of available data contributes significantly to the success of any GIS (to have the right data at the right time readily available). If the GIS can answer questions, which nobody asks, the acceptance of end-users will be naturally limited.
It is possible to define a series of different stages of sophistication with regard to data and information.
- Unvalidated manuscripts: documents without basic cartographic features (coordinates, scale, etc.), analog-digital conversion therefore becomes difficult, if not impossible;
- Unvalidated maps: Thematic maps whose content and accuracy have not been validated ;
- Validated maps with partial coverage: Topographic and thematic maps are available for some areas only
- Comprehensive coverage: Topographic maps at full coverage and various thematic layers available;
- Various operational scales; Topographic and thematic maps in a variety of scales available;
- Regular updates: Topographic and thematic maps are regularly updated.
Technoware
The technoware dimension has proved to be the least complicated in terms of establishing GIS as hard-and software are readily available in the market. Office facilities, which must be seen as part of the technoware category, and infrastructure, can usually be provided without major problems, like budgetary constraints. However, in terms of the sophistication of GIS technology, several levels within the technoware dimension can be identified. These are:
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Analog: Manual GIS operation are carried out (overlay on a lighttabe, pantographic rescaling, etc.)
- Computer-asisted: Manual GIS operations are assisted by CAD and DTP systems
- Stand-along PC GIS operations are assisted by CAD and DTP systems
- Stand-alone PC GIS: GIS operations are done using specialized GIS application software
- Local Area Network (LAN): Several users practice file sharing in a server/client environment with a centralized DBMS
- Workstations: Platforms based on UNIX systems are used for GIS operations
- Wide Area Networks (WAN) : Several offices are connected together (e.g. throughout a district, state or even country) and can freely exchange their data.
Relative costs of implementing GIS
With regard to relative costs of establishing and operating a Geographic information System in all four dimensions, the figure below illustrates its magnitude and distribution. In general, the preparation and development of the organization(Orgaware) for the GIS implementation present the greatest cost, followed by he acquisition and management of data (Inforware), then personnel related expenses (Humanware). Hardware and software costs (Technoware) represent the lowest.
The absolute costs of implementing and maintaining a GIS depend on the actual degree of sophistication of the system.
Fig. 2: Relative Costs of a GIS
Outlook
The four dimensional model has been developed to qualify levels of sophistication of GIS, and the frame conditions within which a GIS is established. It does not mean that the highest level of any dimension is necessarily the most desirable one. Quite often, simpler solutions might be far more adequate and appropriate than more sophisticated ones.
References
- TRAUB, K.-P. (1996): Implementing a National GIS for Woody Cover Mapping in Zimbabwe: The Vegetation Resources Information System (VegRIS). GIS 9/3. Karlsruhe.
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TRAUB, K.-P./LLANTO, R.B. (1996): Feasibility Study for the Implementation of a Geographic Information System for Landuse Planning in the province of Quirine. Cebu City (unpublished report)
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TRAUB, K.-P.(1997): The four dimensions of GIS. GIS Asia/Pacific, February 1997. Singapore.
