PrintProject Management as a Discipline
Key Project Management Concepts and the PMI
Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities in order to meet project requirements--all focused on delivering desired results on schedule and on budget. In geospatial projects, results are often defined deliverables--tangible products or results of project work which are well-defined in a project plan. For example, in a project with the objective of developing a GIS database, deliverables could include processed aerial imagery or LiDAR elevation data ready to load into the GIS database for access by users.
Project management is not a new field, but it is a discipline that has been formalized greatly over the last 30 years with a range of documented methods, best practices, and automated tools to support projection planning and execution. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), 7th Edition. This document can be obtained by online order. This PMI is the world's leading professional association that develops and promotes project management standards and best practices (for all types of projects). The PMI also offers a number of project management and program management professional certifications--the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification being the most popular and widely recognized. Students are encouraged to examine the materials from the PMI and pursue one of its certifications. Take a look at the PMI website and build some awareness of the scope and services of this organization. While not a mandatory text for this course, we recommend that you consider obtaining a copy of the PMBOK and use it as a reference guide for the planning and management of future projects.
Standards Organizations
There are a number of government and independent organizations which develop, adopt, and promote the application of standards associated with IT and GIS. Some of the more important standards bodies include:
- The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) includes groups that develop and formally adopt standards pertinent to a wide variety of topics and disciplines. The ISO Technical Committee 211 (TC211) deals specifically with geospatial technology, practices, and data.
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a U.S. government organizations that codify a wide range of standards, some of which impact geospatial and IT projects.
- Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) is a U.S. Federal government committee which develops and promotes standards and best practices related to GIS data and database development and maintenance.
- Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) is an independent body with wide participation of geospatial technology product and service vendors, government organizations, and other types of organizations. Its mission is to develop, approve, and promote the use of standards for geospatial data, software, services, and practices that maximize open access and integration among geospatial products.
- American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a U.S.-based independent standards organization that develops and adopts standards on a wide range of topics (including information technology).
In addition to these formal standards bodies, there are a large number of professional organizations that promote standards and best practices for the development, use, and management of geospatial technology. Two of the most prominent are the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) and the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS). Also, there are many discipline-specific professional associations that have committees or groups that address geospatial issues.