An Introduction to the Hennepin County GIS Technical Advisory Group (eGTAG)

1. An Introduction to the Hennepin CountyGIS Technical Advisory Group (eGTAG) 10/20/2009

2. An Introduction to eGTAG • Background • Charter • eGTAG role within Hennepin County • Workflow Process • Group Communication • Discussion Topics 10/20/2009

3. Background Why formulate a technical group? “I was recently made aware of some GIS mapping services being performed by several Departments that use outdated data and differing techniques. Additionally, these mapping products were being done in multiple areas of the county which may be unnecessarily duplicating effort and cost. I have met with Scott Simmer, Manager of the GIS division, and asked him to re-establish the GIS Users Group with an emphasis on establishing comprehensive Hennepin County mapping standards and policies as well as addressing other GIS needs. Also, I want to promote the use of the central GIS staff to support departments throughout the county.” From Richard Johnson County Administrator 10/20/2009

4. Background • Why formulate a technical group? • Improve mapping standards • Implement industry “best practices” • Improve communication & collaboration • Implement metadata practices • Organize a GIS data warehouse • Create standardized approaches • Remove information silos • Promote technical growth • Create a library of GIS resources 10/20/2009

5. Background GIS technology and expertise has evolved out of individual departments at Hennepin County. In response to the need for a more coordinated approach to GIS efforts within Hennepin County, staff members with strong technical GIS skills will form the Enterprise GIS Technical Advisory Group (eGTAG). Members of eGTAG will create a network of technology experts, which will promote and strengthen GIS technology countywide through inter-departmental communication, collaboration, cooperation, and joint research. The group will research and produce recommendations on GIS technical standards, protocols, and best practices. 10/20/2009

6. eGTAG Charter • Components of the Charter • Background and Purpose • Membership and Roles/Responsibilities • Expectations • Benefits • Organizational Structure 10/20/2009

7. eGTAG Charter • Roles/Responsibilities • Conduct research on GIS technical standards, best practices, and protocols. • Document research findings and author recommended “best practices”. • Discuss and resolve GIS technical issues and recommend solutions to the eGSC (Enterprise GIS Steering Committee). • Expectations • Members will communicate and promote eGTAG findings and recommendations within their respective department. • Members will work collaboratively to organize and manage information and findings within an eGIS storage structure. • Members focus should be on advancing GIS at Hennepin County towards an enterprise solution. 10/20/2009

8. eGTAG Charter • Organizational Structure • All recommendations are made by consensus. • When consensus can not be reached, issues are brought to the eGSC for resolution. • eGTAG does not make policy decisions and is accountable to the eGSC. • eGTAG recommendations that require changes to departmental workflows will not be decided by the eGTAG, but will be decided by the eGSC in collaboration with the affected department. 10/20/2009

9. eGTAG within Hennepin County 10/20/2009

10. Workflow Process 10/20/2009

11. Workflow Process & Terms eGTAG will research and produce recommendations on GIS technical standards, protocols, and best practices. Best Practices – Proven and effective set of guidelines or methodology widely recognized and accepted within the GIS industry. Standards - An established set of practices, rules, or required procedures accepted by eGTAG and formalized in a document. Policy – Resource allocation such as funding is “not” set by eGTAG. Policy is set by GIS Steering Committee and approved by County Board when appropriate. 10/20/2009

12. Group Communication • Wiki environment • Post threads to communicate to group • Keep track of meetings and assignments • Store Documents (with some limitations) • Additional documentation backup • Plus other forms of communication • eGIS.eGTAG group email 10/20/2009

13. Group Communication 10/20/2009

14. Discussion Topics • The first two topics are Mapping Standards and Metadata Standards. • Easy yet important topics • Not as time consuming since some resources have already been produced. • Good for testing the waters of eGTAG. • Will be the first standards and best practices sent up to eGSC. 10/20/2009

15. Discussion Topics Mapping Standards The goal of the Mapping Standards Workgroup will be to promote the creation and distribution of consistent, high quality mapping products at Hennepin County. Not only will this address some of the existing mapping issues, but it will provide a better tool for decision making, reduce liability, and create a trusted and easily identifiable product for Hennepin County. 10/20/2009

16. Discussion Topics • Mapping Standards • Develop countywide mapping standards • Develop cartographic “best practices” suggestions. • Create generic templates • Organize map dispersal strategy and repositories • Create cartography educational modules 10/20/2009

17. Discussion Topics Metadata Standards Hennepin County Departments and Divisions create maps for a wide range of business needs. The content, design, and citation information represented on these maps vary between departments and individual user needs. However issues have been identified with some county mapping products, as well as the need to improve data content, ensure currency, improve design techniques, and reduce redundant mapping efforts. These issues were reiterated in an email by the County Administration sent by Richard Johnson (5/25/07). In order to maintain a county-wide standardized set of information about each GIS layer, we must identify the key information required for the metadata. This metadata will provide users with an understanding of the who, what, when, why and where relative to the data collection, maintenance, and intended usage. 10/20/2009

18. Discussion Topics • Metadata Standards • Develop countywide metadata standards • Develop cartographic “best practices” suggestions for easy metadata creation. • Create generic metadata *.xml templates • Create educational modules to assist staff with the metadata creation process 10/20/2009

19. Conclusion Any questions? Would you like HCGUG to post some of our best practices? Thank you… Jay Meehl Hennepin County GIS Division 10/20/2009