Thinking About GIS: Geographic Information System Planning for Managers (Hardcover)

~ Roger Tomlinson (Author) "Let's understand the model better by examining its individual components..." (more)
Key Phrases: Data Information, Internet Web, Standard Pentium (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Targeted at those who have been charged with launching or implementing a geographic information system for their organization, this book details a practical method for planning a GIS that has proven successful in real public and private sector organizations, including a local government, a transportation authority, a forest management agency, a retail business, a political party, and a farm. Managers will learn how to consider the strategic purpose of their organization to ensure that the GIS will work toward serving some useful and important purpose. The need for active participation in the planning process and early identification of the desired information output is outlined, and a practical system for gathering feedback from the organization is revealed. The case for a formalized approach to needs assessment is made and reinforced. Data considerations are explored, as well as the work of specifying hardware, software, and networking that will prove appropriate for the desired results. Covered in detail are topics such as system design, logical data models, and implementation planning. Also discussed is how to pull all GIS planning work into a cohesive and persuasive document that will pave the way toward winning approval of a project, regardless of the size or scope.

About the Author

Roger Tomlinson is the principal of Tomlinson Associates, a firm of consulting geographers. He is known as the "father of GIS" and has advised clients such as the World Bank and the United States and Canadian Forest Services. He holds a Ph.D. from University College, London. He lives in Ottawa, Ontario.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 195 pages
• Publisher: Esri Press; illustrated edition edition (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589480708
• ISBN-13: 978-1589480704
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #918,927 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GIS for Managers, Not for Teckies, October 12, 2005

By	John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Thinking About GIS: Geographic Information System Planning for Managers (Paperback)

This book starts off saying 'If you're holding his book, perhaps it's because you've been charged with launching or implementing a geographic information system a GIS for your organization.' That single sentence pretty well sums up the intent, the intended audience, and the direction that this book takes.

This is a new paperback edition that has been updated in response to customer input and with data updated to reflect happenings since the last edition. The bulk of the book hasn't changed that much, after all the basic concepts of what GIS can do for you and how to implement it haven't changed that much. To be sure the details of the available software have changed a bit, but the basic concepts have not.

This is not a technical book on doing GIS, this is a book for managers that will tell him what can be expected from a GIS system and gives the manager enough information that he won't be snowed by the teckies implementing the system.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars exciting applications, April 8, 2005

By	W Boudville (Terra, Sol 3) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

For a manager who might be considering a GIS implementation for the first time, this book can be useful. Tomlinson offers an overview of the main issues that you may have to deal with. These include designing the database and, very importantly, limiting the scope of the project. You should be careful not to attempt too much in a first GIS project. Rather, attention should be paid to devising explicitly the remit of the project, and what it will not attempt to do.

The examples in the book can be very useful in helping you do the above. Treat them as case studies that illustrate the manifold ways to intensively use geographic information.

The book also shows how GIS has invigorated geography. For decades, it was a relatively sleepy field. But the availability of massive amounts of geographic information and cheap computing has turned this field into an exciting place for the new century.

5.0 out of 5 stars Thinking about GIS, October 26, 2009

By	Lindsay N. Donnellon "GIS SIG" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Thinking about GIS: Geographic Information System Planning for Managers (Paperback)

Perfect condition! And the material is what was required for class, so overall there aren't any complaints. This book is exactly what the title implies, thoughts about GIS...basically database management and how to stay organized & successful when in the midst of GIS projects- large or small