Geographical Information System (GIS) Project

Acknowledgement

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

Abstract

Recent studies concerning GIS show that it is the fastest growing segment (both hard & software) of the graphical computer market. 70% of private organizations expect to use GIS as a strategic tool inside their company. Like a product, GIS in an organization has a life cycle. According to the model of Nolan this life cycle begins with awareness and ends when full integration with other information systems is achieved. Until recently project management for GIS projects was mostly about projects which were considered to be experimental. The obligations for such projects disagree from the obligations for projects which are strategic for a company. Strategic GIS projects need a project manager with methodical comprehending of matters such as: planning, knowledge of the objectives of the project, project environment and politics. There is little experience with such GIS projects. However the question “How to manage a GIS project effectively” has to be responded for strategically positioned GIS projects to be successful. It is significant for project managers to realise the connection between the place of GIS in an organisation (Nolan Model) in connection to the significance of GIS for the organisation. The way a GIS project should be handled depends, to a large extend, on these two positioning. A blend of IT methodologies for example Structured Analysis and Design, project management methodologies for example PRINCE and Hewlett-Packards Customer Project Life Cycle 2 blended with best practices are suggested in alignment to supply a structure, for project managers, to handle GIS projects which are considered strategic for the organisation. This structure, founded on former experience and through evaluation of a convoluted GIS project has been shown, in some values, to work. There is still some doubt since there is little experience in the market with strategic GIS projects so there are not many of “best practices” to discover from and to further evaluate the suggested approach available.

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION7

Problem Domain8

Project Objective & Scope10

Approach11

Scope of the Project13

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW15

Product Life Cycle17

Life Cycle of an IT system/IT project18

Strategic position of a Geographic Information System in the Organization20

Information Needs24

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY26

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND LIFE CYCLE METHODOLOGY26

FACT FINDING TECHNIQUES30

PROJECT PLANNING34

CHAPTER 4: DISCUSSION37

The project stages39

Project Initiation40

The Project Initiation Document (PID)44

PID :The background of the project45

PID: Mission, Objective and Strategy45

PID: Scope46

PID: Constraints47

PID: Organization of the project47

PID: The Project Plan's48

Present PID and Kick-off Meeting53

Detailed Plans/Work Structure Breakdown54

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION60

REFERENCE62

APPENDIX65

APPENDIX A81

Chapter 1: Introduction

My preliminary aim of this project is to develop a software which will be able to predict the outcome of a football match ...