URISA has announced an important new initiative to develop a GIS Management Institute.  Greg Babinski, URISA President, made the announcement during a presentation at the 2012 Esri User Conference in San Diego.  The GIS Management Institute (GMI) will develop resources and services that focus on promoting the advancement of professional best practices and standards for the management of GIS operations.

The GIS Management Institute will build upon resources that URISA has already developed, including the GIS Capability Maturity Model, the Geospatial Management Competency Model, the Exemplary Systems in Government (ESIG) Awards, the URISA Leadership Academy, and others.  A key component of the GIS Management Institute will be the development of the GIS Management Body of Knowledge (GMBOK). 

The GIS Management Body of Knowledge will be the central unifying element of the Institute.  It will be used to refine the GIS Capability Maturity Model (GISCMM) and the Geospatial Management Competency Model (GMCM).  The GMBOK will be a collection of peer-reviewed best practices and standards that can inform geospatial managers and operations in order to improve the effectiveness of their use of geospatial technology

The GMI will develop programs based on the GMBOK to accredit the capability and maturity of GIS operations against the GISCMM.  It will also develop a program to accredit GIS management educational programs against the GMBOK and GMCM.  URISA has agreed to work in cooperation with the GIS Certification Institute (GISCI) to advance the future certification of GIS managers.

Mr. Babinski explained the motivation behind the development of the GIS Management Institute: “The management of enterprise GIS operations requires knowledge, skills, and abilities that clearly set it apart from other management domains.  GIS operations today are highly complex, critical for effective agency services, and have been proven to deliver tremendous financial benefits.” He further noted that, “Central to the GMI, is the theory that as GIS operational maturity improves, ROI (return on investment) from GIS increases.”

The GIS Management Institute will be a program managed by URISA.  URISA has nearly 50 years of study, experience, and intellectual capital related to GIS management.  URISA developed and launched GISCI.  URISA developed and manages GISCorps, the ESIG awards, the URISA Leadership Academy, and a portfolio of 20 URISA workshops. 

URISA - The Association for GIS Professionals - is a  leading provider of learning and knowledge for the GIS community. URISA connects great ideas and great people to inspire leadership and achievement. We strive to provide exceptional educational experiences, a vibrant and connected community, and the essential resources you need to be successful in your career. URISA is a multidisciplinary association where professionals from all parts of the spatial data community come together to share concerns and ideas.

For more information about the GIS Management Institute, contact Greg Babinski, URISA President. For more information about URISA, contact Wendy Nelson, URISA Executive Director.