GIS Executive Council and Advisory Committee Update

1. GIS Executive Council and Advisory Committee Update November 2010

2. Executive Order No. 38 Statement of Priorities and Mission Statement The purpose of this statewide geographic information coordination effort shall be: • To establish policies relating to the use of geographic information, geospatial data, and related technologies; • To further cooperation among state, federal, and local government agencies; academic institutions; and the private sector to improve the quality, access, cost-effectiveness, and utility of Alabama’s geographic information and • To facilitate the deployment of geographic information as a strategic resource in the State. Develop and adopt a Strategic Plan for a sustainable state program to coordinate GIS

3. Objective For Today Review the current status of the State Geospatial Strategic Plan • Mission and Vision Statement • Executive Summary, Background, Planning Approach-Purpose • Strategic Issues – 6 Identified Focus Areas • Governance (in progress) • Framework • Data and Metadata Standards • Automated Data Sharing • Communication (in progress) • Education/Outreach

4. Mission The Mission The Alabama GIS Executive Council will foster the development of a spatial information capability for use by all jurisdictions and agencies to enhance decision making processes.  To ensure that the capability is sustainable the Council will develop and implement a Strategic Plan with specific goals and objectives with measurable and actionable business plans.

5. Vision The Vision The State of Alabama will have a robust spatial information capability developed through a collaborative effort among the statewide geospatial community.  This information will provide for effective operational, strategic and executive decision-making to optimize the health and resilience of communities, provide access to public information and enhance the safety, economy, environment and quality of life in Alabama.

6. Strategic Planning Approach • Plan was developed with input and consensus of the Advisory Committee • Subcommittees were formed as needed for the purpose of drafting specific focus area components of the strategic plan and program business plans. • Review sessions were periodically conducted with the GIS Executive Council to obtain feedback and guidance in the plan development. • Plan was approved and adopted by the Executive Council in June of 2010.

7. The Plan… Purpose and Objective of the Strategic Plan • Consist of goals and objectives that can be translated through specific and measurable actionable business plans. Such business plans provide tangible steps that can be taken to build programs that benefit all participants and stakeholders across all levels of government. • Represent the Council’s reporting measures to the Governor for progress toward development of the statewide geospatial capability. • Will be reviewed bi-annually and updated annually to reflect progress.

8. Strategic issues (6 Identified Focus Areas) Governance – What mechanisms are important to developing and sustaining Alabama’s geospatial capability? Framework Data – How can we better assess all current geospatial information available in the state and make recommendations to reduce inefficiency and redundancy in geospatial information collection? Data and Metadata Standards – How can we develop better policies related to statewide data standards, to reinforce importance of adherence to data standards, and to develop strategies and policies for implementing metadata standards? Focus areas follow Federal Geospatial Data Committee Guidelines for capturing the Spatial Data Infrastructure

9. Strategic issues (6 Identified Focus Areas) Automated Data Sharing – How can we create and distribute quality geospatial data and services across agencies at all levels within the State of Alabama? Communication-  What strategies can be employed to create an effective communications plan that provides information to illustrate the value of collaborative development and access to geospatial information and services among stakeholder agencies Education/Outreach – What methods are needed to inform the public and policy makers in Alabama about the strategic benefits of geospatial technologies, and promote technical and non-technical education related to those technologies? Focus areas follow Federal Geospatial Data Committee Guidelines for capturing the Spatial Data Infrastructure

10. Current Status of the Strategic Plan 6 Strategic Issues have been identified • Up to six goals have been defined for each Focus Area Each Goal has identified Strategies, Measures, and Timelines for successful completion Example: Goal 1: Establish mechanism to measure the state’s progress with regard to fulfilling the objectives of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) framework strategy Strategy: Inventory the data holdings suitable for use in the NSDI framework and posting this information. Measure: Record status of framework data’s NDSI suitability in the state inventory holdings list. Timeline: All State agencies shall be completed by July 1, 2011.  All county and local governments shall be completed by January 1, 2012.

11. Current Status of the Strategic Plan (Continued) • Technical sub committees for the Framework Data and Education/Outreach focus areas established. Technical Subcommittee on Imagery established and is drafting a business plan for Imagery and LIDAR acquisition. • Plan is designed to have goals that can be met or significantly completed within a three year time period • The Plan will adhere to Federal guidelines and recommendations set forth by the Federal Geospatial Data Committee (FGDC) and National States Council for GIS (NSGIC) Plan structure follows the guidance set forth by the National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC) recommendations

12. Online Forum • New online presence is under development to allow members and the general public to find announcements, agendas, meeting minutes, and track plan progress • Allows for content management and online collaboration

13. Questions?