a cots approach to implementing forest management systems · a cots approach to implementing forest...

A COTS Approach to Implementing Forest Management Systems

Mark Williams, Esri Scot McQueen, GeoEngineers

Topics

1. Introducing the COTS Approach 2. The Role of GIS in Forestry 3. GIS As Infrastructure 4. COTS Technology Elements for Enterprise GIS 5. A Process for a COTS Based Approach 6. Summary 7. Questions / Discussion

Introducing the COTS Approach

What is the COTS Approach?

• Maximizing commercial off the shelf software in a GIS system

• System meets business goals by leveraging COTS - Configures and extends COTS - Avoids developing software

• Immediate capability… continually improving via COTS release cycles

• Users engaged early and often to iteratively improve system

Approaches to Building an Enterprise GIS A spectrum of system implementation patterns

Custom System Built with custom code

Component System

Using stand alone COTS components with

significant development

COTS System

Configured with minimal development

Comparing Approaches

Custom

Custom built to meet business goals

Emphasis on software development

Design based on detailed functional requirements

Considerable development time / effort

Static system

COTS Components

Custom system, using some COTS elements

Emphasis on component-based software

development

Design based on detailed functional requirements

Reduced development time / effort

Some capability evolves with COTS releases

COTS system

Orchestrates COTS to meet business goals

Emphasis on workflows and configuration

Design based on business goals and COTS

capability

Minimized development time / effort

Evolving system with COTS releases

COTS System follows standard system development lifecycles, but activities are different than traditional developmental systems

COTS VS Traditional Delivery Model

Planning REQ Design DEV Test Implement

Planning REQ Design DEV Test Implement

Accelerated Delivery

Traditional Approach

COTS Approach

Configuration Users Exercise System

Users Exercise System

Demos for Users

Configurable COTS Components

ESRI Production Mapping

QA\QC Rules

Feature Templates

Metadata Rules

Map Templates

ArcGIS Workflow Manager

Workflows Application Integration

Task Assistant Manager

GIS Professionals

ArcGIS Server Workflow Manager

ArcGIS Mobile ArcGIS Web APIs

Management Services

Execution Services

Tasking Services

Mapping Services

Non-GIS Users

Field Users

Production

Silver light

Java Script Flex Android Windows iOS

ArcGIS Desktop ArcGIS Server

A Different Way of Thinking

• Challenges common procurement models - Requirements focused on business goals vice detailed

feature functions - Select COTS that best meets business goals and

implement “with the grain” for best results - Schedule linked to COTS release cycles

• Asks users to consider new business processes - New workflows based on COTS strengths (usually better)

- People resist change - Organizations resist change

• Avoid temptation to overly customize - Best intentions of many people often push systems

towards customization

ArcGIS System Concept The backbone of a COTS based enterprise system…

• …with flexibility to support wide range of user roles

Cloud Services

Enterprise Services

Local

• Discover • Create • Manage • Visualize • Analyze • Collaborate

Rich Client

Mobile

ArcGIS

Web Browser

Enterprise GIS System Pattern @ ArcGIS 10 Power to configure how content is produced, shared, and used

Authoritative Content

Producers Basemaps

& ArcGIS.com

Map & Data Products

Services (Maps, Analysis)

Field Edits & Partner Input

Configurable & shared • workflows • production tools • business rules

The Role of GIS in Forestry

Timber

Alaska

Tree Heights

Germany

Wetlands

Minnesota

Change Detection

Kenya

CO2 Sequestration

Kansas

Stream Classification

Ontario, Canada

Vegetation

Indonesia

Biomass

California

Resources Inventory

Logistics / Scheduling

Bavaria, Germany

Resource Assessment

Nevada, USA

Wildfire Assessment

Oregon, USA

Treatment Scheduling

Road Design Wildfire Risk Salvage Analysis Route Planning

Sao Paulo, Brazil

France California, USA Bavaria, Germany Colorado, USA

Tactical Planning

Field Observations

California, USA

Fire Simulation

USA

Workforce Scheduling

Virginia, USA

Timber Stack Logistics

Restocking Planning Timber Cruise Plans Stream Crossings Public Safety

Oregon, USA

Kenya Florida, USA Ontario, Canada Kinglake, Australia

Field Operations

Property Valuation

Kansas, USA

Easements

Washington, USA

Tenure Management

Latvia

Legal Surveys

Property Management Property Research Priority Lands Land Use

Oregon, USA

Maryland, USA Brazil Quinault Indian Nation Korea

Land Administration

Harvest Planning

Scotland, Great Britain

Carbon Accounting

Australia

Road Density

Borneo, Indonesia

Visual Impact Studies

Climate Change Cash Flow Analysis Public Consultation Strategic Planning

Utah

North America Scotland, Great Britain Scotland, Great Britain Alaska, USA

Sustainable Forest Management

GIS As Infrastructure

ArcGIS Supports Multiple Implementation Patterns . . . Reaching Everybody

Server

Workgroups

• Shared Database

• Fixed Applications

• Transactions

Federated

Organizations

• Shared Services

• Integration

• Collaboration

Desktop

Individuals

• Ad Hoc Projects

• Analysis/Modeling

• Mapping

Cloud / Web GIS

Desktop Mobile Web

Enterprise

Device

Pervasive

Enabling the Forestry Enterprise

The Four GIS Business Functions

Examples of Required Business Solutions

Technology Approach

COTS Technology Elements for Enterprise GIS

Data Maintenance Dissemination Geodata Management

A COTS approach for Enterprise GIS

Production Management

Production Geodatabase

Publication Geodatabase

Web Services Web Services

Geodatabase Design

• Emphasize end-user capabilities - Define detailed information products - Build to deliver

• Embrace federated compilation and maintenance - Be realistic, prioritize compilation capabilities - Leverage data content provided by the enterprise - Integrate content at the service level, not RDBMS

• Design for COTS usability - Leverage geodatabase concepts (FCs, subtypes, etc) - Balance tradeoffs for maintenance and dissemination

Geodata Management

Geodatabase Versions

Connected Replicas

Disconnected Replicas

Check Out Replicas

Production Geodatabase

Publication Geodatabase

One-Way Replica

•Read-Write Access •Tuned for Editing •Authoritative Content

•Read-Only Access •Tuned for Services •Approved Content

•Ideal for outsourcing work •XML-based transfer •Two-way exchange

•File-based GDB •In-house or Outsourced •One-time exchange

•Workgroups •Two-way exchange

•Direct editing •Basis for replication

Data Maintenance

• Model new and existing processes - Integrate GIS and non-GIS - Standardize and streamline - Continually evolve workflows

• Configure a common rule-base - Feature templates - Map templates - Quality Control rules

Data Maintenance

ESRI Production Mapping

QA\QC Rules

Feature Templates

Metadata Rules

Map Templates

ArcGIS Workflow Manager

Workflows Application Integration

Task Assistant Manager

GIS Professionals

ArcGIS Server Workflow Manager

ArcGIS Mobile ArcGIS Web APIs

Management Services

Execution Services

Tasking Services

Mapping Services

Non-GIS Users

Field Users

Production

Silver light

Java Script Flex Android Windows iOS

ArcGIS Desktop ArcGIS Server

Data Maintenance

ESRI Production Mapping

QA\QC Rules

Feature Templates

Metadata Rules

Map Templates

ArcGIS Workflow Manager

Workflows Application Integration

Task Assistant Manager

GIS Professionals

ArcGIS Server Workflow Manager

ArcGIS Mobile ArcGIS Web APIs

Management Services

Execution Services

Tasking Services

Mapping Services

Non-GIS Users

Field Users

Production

Silver light

Java Script Flex Android Windows iOS

ArcGIS Desktop ArcGIS Server

Content Dissemination

• Deliver diverse information products - Visualization - Analysis - Geodata

• Enable search & discovery - Standards-based (OGC) - ArcGIS.com

• Support internal and external users - Web services (connected) - Traditional media (disconnected)

Connected

Publication

ArcGIS Server & GeoPortal Extension Search & Discovery

Geoprocessing Services

OGC Services

Map Services

Geodata Services

ArcGIS Server Web APIs JavaScript

API Silverlight

API Flex API

Many Users

Many Applications

Content Dissemination

Disconnected

Distributed Publication

Node

Production Management

• Provide transparency - Task and manage production - Provide status and reporting

• Utilize role-based functionality - Targeted user experience - Keep it simple

• Extend the reach of GIS workflows - Simple, web-based access - Enable non-GIS users

Production Management

Production

ArcGIS Server Web APIs JavaScript

API Silverlight

API Flex API

Managers & Executives

ArcGIS Server Mapping Services

ArcGIS Server Workflow Manager Reporting Services

Management Services

Tasking Services

Execution Services

Web Applications

ArcGIS.com

Data Maintenance

Dissemination (Connected/Disconnected)

A Complete System for Enterprise GIS

Production Management

Geodata Management

Reporting

Execution

Tasking

Management

Non-GIS Users

GIS Users

Web Apps

Field Users

Generate Products

Visualize

Analyze

Search & Discover

Access Data

Many Users

Many Apps

Multiple Options

A Process for a COTS Based Approach

COTS Impacts to System Development Process

Planning REQ Design DEV Test Implement

Planning REQ Design DEV Test Implement

Accelerated Delivery

Traditional Approach

COTS Approach

Configuration Users Exercise System

Users Exercise System

Demos for Users

Enterprise GIS Planning and Implementation

Central Data

Repository

Enterprise Planning

Enterprise Geodatabase

Design

GIS Integration with Existing

Systems

User/Enterprise Access to GIS (Web Portal)

Enterprise GIS Framework

Long Term Support Strategy

GIS Maintenance

(Data, Applications)

Enterprise Planning,

Development

Staffing, Roles &

Responsibilities

IT/Systems Integration

Budget &Funding Mechanisms

GROW SYSTEM STRENGTHEN SUPPORT

The COTS Approach - Planning

Planning REQ Design DEV Test Implement

Accelerated Delivery

Configuration Users Exercise System

Demos for Users

Planning

• Focus on business objectives and goals • What are you trying to accomplish?

- Improving productivity

- Increasing revenue

- Reducing cost

- Supporting regulatory requirements

• All system requirements and technical decisions should consider business goals

4

Remember you are trying to solve a business problem not engineer a new software module

Planning

• Plan project using multiple phases/iterations • Plan for heavy user interaction and validation of

capabilities • Allows for integrating new COTS releases • Provides an opportunity for intermittent training

4

Phases or iterations should focus on completing a use case or scenario

4

• Implement base COTS release

• Data Model – first release

• Workflows - initial configuration

• Usage Patterns – Identify

• User Roles – Define • Architecture - establish

initial infrastructure

Phase 1: Out of Box Phase 2:

Refine Phase 3: Finalize • Implement incremental

COTS Release • Data Model – modify

based on input • Workflows – elaborate

and create new • Usage Patterns - refine • Architecture - Integrate

with other systems

• Implement Final COTS Deployment Release

• Data Model - finalize • Workflows - finalize

workflows • Architecture – plan for

system implementation • Training – develop plan

COTS Based Phased Planning

Continuous Learning & Improvement

The COTS Approach - Requirements

Planning REQ Design DEV Test Implement

Accelerated Delivery

Configuration Users Exercise System

Demos for Users

Requirements

• Focus on the “what” NOT the “how” • Embrace the change – do not modify COTS

technology to support an inefficient process • Keep it simple

4

Users COTS Demos

Traditional COTS

Business Workflows

Land Sales Summary Reports

As Is

Fina

nce

Tax

Le

gal

ENR

& O

ther

Le

ases

Fo

rest

ry &

O

ps S

uppo

rt R

eal

Esta

te

Evaluate Property Profile

Evaluate Asset Profile

Improve

Evaluate Disposition Options

Negotiate Deal

Final Contract Estab. Escrow Record Deal Manage 1031

Excel Pipeline and Summary Reports Excel Reports

Man

ual C

olla

bora

tion

GIS

Map System

Identify Property

Identify Property

Excel

Approve & Finalize Deal

Man

ual C

olla

bora

tion

Man

ual C

olla

bora

tion

Legl desc, Paper

Current Owner? Acq’rd From? Encumbered?

Excel Lists

Tax Status? BIG Impact?

GIS, Excel

Timber NPV? Harvest Schd? Environment Concern?

Access

Minerals Val? Active Lease? Hunt Club?

Man

ual C

olla

bora

tion

Excel Lists

Tax Compliant?

Excel?

Ledger Transactions Cost Accounting

Excel Lists

Transfer Ownership

Terms Sheet

Draft Contract Earnest Money

Man

ual

Man

ual C

olla

bora

tion

Excel Templates

Ledger Trans. Financial Trans.

??

Update System

Excel Lists

Titles

Update System

Update System

Minerals

Update System

Forestry

Update System

Business Workflows Used to define solutions

On-line Lists

Land Sales Summary Reports

As Is

Fina

nce

Tax

Le

gal

ENR

& O

ther

Le

ases

Fo

rest

ry &

O

ps S

uppo

rt R

eal

Esta

te

Evaluate Property Profile

Evaluate Asset Profile

Improve

Evaluate Disposition Options

Negotiate Deal

Final Contract Estab. Escrow Record Deal Manage 1031

On-line Pipeline and Summary Reports On-line Reports

Inte

grat

ed D

atab

ase

GIS

GIS

Identify Property

Identify Property

Excel AFD

Approve & Finalize Deal

Inte

grat

ed D

atab

ase

On-

line

Che

cklis

ts

??, Paper

Acq’rd From? Encumbered?

On-line Lists

Tax Status? BIG Impact?

GIS

Timber NPV? Harvest Schd? Environment Concern?

Minerals, Access

Minerals Val? Active Lease? Hunt Club?

Inte

grat

ed D

atab

ase

On-line Lists

Tax Compliant?

Lawson Financials

Ledger Transactions Cost Accounting

On-line Lists

Transfer Ownership

Terms Sheet

Draft Contract Earnest Money

Man

ual

On-

line

Not

ifica

tion

On-line Templates

Ledger Trans. Financial Trans.

Update System

Update System

Update System

Minerals?

Update System

GIS

Update System

The COTS Approach - Design

Planning REQ Design DEV Test Implement

Accelerated Delivery

Configuration Users Exercise System

Demos for Users

Design

• Short focused interactive design sessions • Heavy use of prototyping and lab environment • End users along with COTS experts

- Defining user roles - Defining workflows - Identifying efficiencies - Understanding end user access

• Consider future COTS releases

4

Design should emphasize delivering immediate capabilities

COTS Design/Configuration Process

Configure

•Build base workflows •Streamline COTS usage

•Obtain user feedback

Design

•Configuration Team focuses on workflows

•User role definition •Usage patterns

Prototype

•COTS experts fully engaged with users

•Review existing COTS tools

The COTS Approach – Develop/Configuration

Planning REQ Design DEV Test Implement

Accelerated Delivery

Configuration Users Exercise System

Demos for Users

Develop

• Based on user input and feedback • Targeted to configuration not customization • 90% configuration 10% (or less) development

5

Users

Roles & Usage

Configuration Team

COTS Products

Data Model Workflows

The COTS Approach – Test

Planning REQ Design DEV Test Implement

Accelerated Delivery

Configuration Users Exercise System

Demos for Users

Test

• Frequent user validation • Multiple user groups to verify usage patterns • Prioritize user feedback – leverage phases • Use validation as training opportunity

5

Real time feedback to Configuration Team

Use/Exercises Feedback Training Refine

Users Configuration

Team

The COTS Approach – Implementation

Planning REQ Design DEV Test Implement

Accelerated Delivery

Configuration Users Exercise System

Demos for Users

Implementation

• Understand you are changing process not just technology

• Leverage COTS training • Data flow patterns • IT Specifications • Security considerations • Administration

- Who? What? Skills?

• Don’t forget about the data!

5

COTS Based Phased Implementation

Migrate to new data

model

Capacity Planning

Migrate Data for AOI

Implement Base

Architecture

Verify Security Model

Training Users

Pilot

Deployment Phase 1

Deployment Phase 2

Execute Workforce Training

Complete Data

Migration

Refine Operational Procedures

Expand to Other Users

Implement Incremental

COTS Release

Expand Workforce Training

Ramp Data Migration

Refine Operational Procedures

Other Workgroup

Users

Configure Workflows

Summary

Benefits of a COTS Approach

• Minimized cost to implement • Shorter schedule – immediate exercising by users • Reduced risk (technology proven by user-base) • Lowered maintenance costs • Evolves with future COTS functionality • Wider range of qualified people to use and maintain

system

Summary

• COTS configuration is a more efficient way to approach system development

• The COTS Approach redefines system development process, with focus on mission instead of building software

• ArcGIS 10 provides a platform for configuration and rapid development – making the COTS Approach viable for many systems

Questions

Contact Us: - Mark Williams, mwilliams@esri.com - Scot McQueen, smcqueen@geoengineers.com

More Info:

- COTS Approach ArcNews article (Winter 2011) - http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/winter1011articles/the-cots-approach.html

- COTS Approach white paper (Jan 2011) - http://www.esri.com/library/whitepapers/pdfs/cots-based-approach-

enterprise.pdf