This post contains the text in the proposed Montana Geospatial Strategic Vision that was initiated by Jennie, Stu and Evan as a successor to the Montana Geospatial Strategic Plan, dated 2006-2010. Stu has undertaken the compiling of this Vision document, however, it is not solely a MSL Vision, but intended to be a vision of the GIS Community as a whole.

This Vision was presented and discussed at the March 13^th MLIAC meeting in Helena.  MAGIP and others have provided comments back to Stu which he has incorporated into this most recent version.

The goal is to develop this a two-page document that is designed for an approximate 5-year timeframe, with updates, as relevant,  so there’s never a need to build a whole new plan.  A yearly review would likely be scheduled to keep the GIS Community members, and the Vision itself current.

 Jennie will be discussing this during the Thursday lunch at the Billings Intermountain Conference.  It would be extremely beneficial to have comments, and incorporate the majority of those comments, into this vision before that time.

Please provide your comments on this Vision in this discussion forum.

Montana Geospatial Strategic Vision

Location based data is collected, maintained, distributed and used to improve the human and environmental condition to the extent that it becomes ubiquitous in public and private business processes.   

Implementation – State Fiscal Years 2015/2016

Successful vision moves forward only if it is shared by stakeholders and implemented through hard work. The Montana State Library and members of the GIS Community have participated in developing and refining the vision and specific tasks for FY 2015 that will help achieve the vision. Members of the GIS Community who have indicated support for this vision are the Montana State Library (MSL), Montana Land Information Advisory Council (MLIAC), the Montana Association of Geographic Information Professionals (MAGIP) and the State GIS Community of Interest (a workgroup of the State Information Technology Managers Advisory Council).

In FY 15, supporters have agreed to focus on four areas where concerted effort could potentially sustain and grow the vision.  Those areas are financial support for the Montana Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI), cooperative data stewardship, broad and encompassing geographic literacy and better integration of location based data into public policy. Each focus area has tasks and measures for success.

Because of their statutory role of GIS coordination along with their stewardship of many MSDI themes, MSL will be required to take the lead on many tasks.  However, that coordination and stewardship can’t be accomplished in a vacuum.  To that end the activities of those supporting this geospatial strategic vision have been identified where appropriate.  The methodologies used to accomplish the FY 15 deliverables may be elaborated upon in more detail in the MSL, MSDI and MAGIP FY 15 work plans.

State Fiscal Year 2015 – Focus Areas Tasks and Deliverables.

1.       Evaluate and Appropriate MSDI Funding - MLIAC, MSL, MSDI Stewards an Leads

                                                               i.      Through a formal investigation and report, identify existing state, local, federal, tribal and private investments in MSDI.  The report will identify gaps between current investments and MSDI needs as identified in MSDI work plans.  It will also identify opportunities to supplement MLIA base funding.

2. Cooperative Data Stewardship – MSL, MSDI Stewards and Leads, MSDI Data Sharing Partners
   1. A  MSDI data sharing agreement will be developed with the intent of institutionalizing a formal process that recognizes the contributions and needs of MSDI partners
3. Broad and Encompassing Geographic Literacy – MSL, MAGIP, State GIS Community of Interest

                                                               i.      MAGIP and other organizations in the state provide professional training opportunities at regular intervals, investing the development of the GIS Community

                                                             ii.      The GIS Community will work to coordinate these professional development offerings to avoid duplication and Maximize resources.

                                                               i.      MSL will set up quarterly meetings with MACO

                                                               i.       Working with their data partners MSL will test feature services that can transfer data from one source to another in automated fashion.

                                                             ii.      Establish an application that would allow crowd sourced correction of address data. 

4. Public Policy
   1. Geographic information is readily available to the 2015 Legislature – State GIS Community of Interest, MAGIP, MSL, MLIAC

                                                               i.      The annual MLIA report will document the GIS Community successes and needs.  MSL will incorporate work plans and needs of the GIS Community into this biennial report

                                                             ii.      MSL will work with agencies to produce the biannual legislative snapshot with appropriate thematic maps by legislative district.