{"id":85812,"date":"2019-02-06T13:58:03","date_gmt":"2019-02-06T21:58:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/about\/newsroom\/?post_type=arcuser&p=85812"},"modified":"2024-08-29T16:17:47","modified_gmt":"2024-08-29T23:17:47","slug":"the-roi-mind-set-for-gis-managers","status":"publish","type":"arcuser","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/about\/newsroom\/arcuser\/the-roi-mind-set-for-gis-managers","title":{"rendered":"The ROI Mind-Set for GIS Managers"},"author":1432,"featured_media":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"sync_status":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","castos_file_data":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"arcuser_issues":[68232],"class_list":["post-85812","arcuser","type-arcuser","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","arcuser_issues-winter-2016"],"acf":{"short_description":"At a GIS user group last year, the audience of 150 GIS professionals was asked, \u201cHow many of you measure your GIS results?\u201d ","pdf":{"host_remotely":false,"file":"","file_url":""},"flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"At a GIS user group last year, the audience of 150 GIS professionals was asked, \"How many of you measure your GIS results?\" Not one person in the room raised a hand. This got me thinking. What does it take to get GIS professionals to think differently about measuring GIS return on investment (ROI)?\r\n\r\nThis article will explore why measuring ROI can help your GIS program and how your mind-set is fundamental to your journey to something better for your program.\r\n\r\nStudying ROI is a means to an end. In this case, the end is the measurement, documentation, and communication of the value of GIS. Knowing why ROI is important to you, a GIS manager, is a critical first step on the journey from a good GIS program to a great GIS program, so let's get started.\r\n\r\nChances are you will find yourself needing to justify a GIS project or a request for funding or respond to a threat to your existing resources. Even if you are so fortunate that you are never in this position, it is likely your organization's leadership currently undervalues the contribution of GIS. What would you reference as a measure of your GIS value? How do you think that measurement will resonate with your leadership? By addressing questions like these before your boss asks them, you are choosing the path from good to great. This is definitely worth your time.\r\n\r\nGIS managers who prepare themselves for a discussion of GIS value are in a much better position to not only get what they want, but\u2014by communicating the value of GIS value\u2014can preempt internal threats that could diminish future GIS opportunities. Organizational leaders can be fickle, so they should be reminded of your program's contributions on a regular basis.\r\n\r\nHaving repeatable metrics and dedicated ROI workflows can help your program remain relevant. This relevancy can keep leadership's attention focused on how GIS impacts its business, not just on the maps you make. In addition, the value you assign to GIS results should be closely linked to the way your organization\u2014as a whole\u2014measures value. For example, if your company focuses on dollars earned as a measure of success, your GIS results would be better understood and appreciated if they relate to that success measure by highlighting increased revenue, cost reduction\/avoidance, efficiencies, and other dollar benefits.\r\n\r\nSo how does the concept of mind-set fit with ROI, and how does one define and\/or change a mind-set? Have you ever had one of those days at work in which everything you set out to do gets pushed to the side so that you can keep your GIS program running, your staff on task, and your deliverables on schedule?\r\n\r\nPerhaps that day turned into a week and then a month so fast it made you wonder where all that time went and what actually got done. I don't think it is a stretch to suggest that the stresses and workloads you face as a GIS manager can be all-consuming, occupying your thoughts and time while at work (and beyond). This kind of environment can influence your mind-set.\r\n\r\nTo reinforce the importance of recognizing my thoughts, attitudes, and actions in a busy work environment, I turn to\u00a0The 4 Disciplines of Execution<\/em>\u00a0by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling. The authors introduce the concept of the \"whirlwind\" of work. They claim that the whirlwind is the one thing that most prevents us from achieving our goals. The whirlwind of GIS activities needed just to keep the operation running day to day and serving the ad hoc needs (usually labled \"urgent\") of the organization can consume massive amounts of energy.\r\n\r\nBeing reactionary, multitasking, reprioritizing, and temporarily focusing on tasks of little consequence can leave your mind spinning and full of limitations and negative perceptions. When you think about ROI efforts in the midst of this whirlwind, you may conclude that\r\n