Promoting GIS in the Workplace with Minimal Training Funds

1. Promoting GIS in the Workplace with Minimal Training Funds Susan Cohn KY Division of Water KY GIS Conference September 27, 2012

2. Purpose of This Presentation • Outline practices in Division of Water • Discuss ways to achieve GIS competency in the workplace • Share ideas of how to promote GIS in our programs, agencies

3. Current Practices in Division of Water • DOW Workgroup • It’s GIS Lunch • GIS 101—In-House (coworker-led)

4. Workgroup Purpose • Discuss GIS issues • Identify issues in data development & review from GIS perspective • Develop GIS agency standards • Make recommendations to management

5. Workgroup Schedule • Meet bi-monthly • Meet additionally if project dictates

6. Workgroup Format • Develop agenda and follow it • Encourage both users and managers to attend • Let the group decide what issues to address • Keep participants and management informed • Distribute/Post meeting minutes

7. It’s GIS Lunch • Presentations • Basic theme • Demonstrate how they used GIS to accomplish a task

8. DOW Launched EEC Workgroup • Energy and Environment Cabinet Group • Quality Assurance & Standards • Application and Development • Annual GIS Open House

9. EEC GIS Open House • Formal introduction and keynote presentations • Stations with different GIS tools and presentations

10. In-house Training General • Introduce GIS concepts • Demonstrate GIS accessibility in DOW • Present water-related information Specific Topics • Address many relevant functions available through specific tools

12. Training Components of GIS 101 • Who to contact for server account • How to log onto Remote Desktop Connection • Basics of Toolbars and Projections • How to set up workspace • Where to save projects • How to add layers • Different uses for point, line or polygon layers

13. …GIS 101 Continued… • Table of Contents and how layers load • What is an Attribute Table • Zoom To features • Identify Tool/Latitude and Longitude • Labeling • Map Layout View versus Data View • Cartographic Standards and Making a Map

14. …GIS 101 Concluded • Exporting and Saving to PDF • Printing • Homework: Produce a map of where you live. Export map and send pdf to instructor for training certificate and credit in training record.

15. Training Certificate

16. Initial Pilot Evaluations • 33/41 students completed form • Overall responses positive • Participation from all branches

17. After first year of GIS 101 32% of DOW staff had attended training

18. Measures of Success (2009) • Participation strong across branches  • Staff trained internally, estimated savings to DOW: $16,000 (67 staff X $250 fee). • Evaluations Overwhelmingly positive! • Branch Managers’ recognizing of the importance of GIS proficiency

19. “Command Performances” • Continued to offer classes • Developed GIS 201 • editing, labeling, spatial joins • Converted GIS 101 into a Self-Study course for new hires • Recently updated for ArcMap 10

20. Ways to Promote GIS • Establish Workgroups • division, department, intra-agency • Develop/Host Presentations • for Management and Coworkers • Create tailored Trainings • Networking • With other divisions, departments, agencies and organizations

21. Results of Workgroup Approach • Smoother transitions with ESRI upgrades • Better coordination among divisions • Better understanding of data applications and limitations between agencies • Empowering employees to use available tools

22. Networking • Formed a cabinet-wide workgroup to strengthen data-sharing and skills development • Participation in KAMP quarterly meetings and annual meeting • Discover other resources • government agencies • universities • local governments

23. Future Ways to Promote GIS • Do YOU have ideas to help DOW? • Presentations • Workgroup Development • Additional in-house training

24. The End