gdas trategy - alberta · guiding principles of ,”open by design, innovation from quality data,...

GeoDiscover Strategy

Strategy GDA GeoDiscover Alberta

Alberta’s Geospatial Data Authority

GeoDiscover Strategy 2


Table of Contents

04 Message from the

ADM & Director

05 Strategic Alignment

06 The Vision

07 Why Spatial Literacy?

08 Strategic Themes

09 Strategic Goals

13 Moving Forward

14 Acknowledgements


Message from the ADM & Director

GeoDiscover Alberta’s intent is to enhance spatial literacy in

Alberta. We are pleased to share our 2016-2019 strategy with

you.

Albertans’ ability to harness the power of spatial data fundamentally relies on

access. The ability to access quality spatial data was a recurring theme through-

out our engagement sessions, interviews, and many ongoing discussions. We

understand that access to spatial data continues to be an imperative for all our

stakeholders.

This strategy builds on what we have heard from our clients coupled with

industry best practice. Spatial data improves decision-making at all levels from

enabling targeted investment by companies, near-me consumer services, and

visualization and analysis for landscape management. Our success is dependent

on our strong relationships and partnerships with many programs across

industry and all levels of government.

We would like to thank everyone who participated in the creation of this internal

strategy. Your input has helped chart GeoDiscover Alberta’s way forward. Over

the next three years, we will continue to seek ways to strengthen our community

by stream-lining access to spatial data, designing a more holistic spatial

environment, and engaging with our clients to modernize processes with

innovative solutions and industry best practices.

Tom Davis Jakub Denkiewicz

Assistant Deputy Minister, Director,

Chair of the GeoDiscover

Steering Committee,

GeoDiscover Alberta

Alberta Environment and Parks


Strategic Alignment

GeoDiscover Alberta (GDA) is a cross-ministry group with the

mandate to administer the geospatial data infrastructure for the

Government of Alberta (GOA).

This strategy forms the foundational support for Alberta’s geospatial data

infrastructure; by fostering the required partnerships, enabling people,

technology, and core geospatial data to become more accessible.

The Government of Alberta’s Open Information and Open Data Policy’s

guiding principles of ,”Open by Design, Innovation from Quality Data, and

Improved Governance” closely align with this strategy. The government’s

vision, according to the recently released Information Management

Strategy, of “using information to its fullest potential” is also strongly

leveraged throughout the creation of this document. In recognizing the

increasing value of geospatial data, this strategy strives

to ensure these assets are

continuingly secure, open, and

accessible.

The ideas and requirements

gathered from stakeholders form

the basis of this 3 year strategy.

This document lays out our

vision, principles, and objectives

for the next 3 years, and ensures

the program and its partners are

well-positioned to reach the goal

of increasing spatial literacy.

PEOPLE PARTNERSHIPS

GEOSPATIAL DATA TECHNOLOGY


The Vision

Spatial literacy and data accessibility are critical to enhancing

decision-making and increasing government effectiveness.

Geospatial assets are:

accessible, available, and

reliable; managed via

current methods; and used to enhance

spatial literacy.

GeoDiscover Alberta is the

province’s authoritative source for

geospatial data and services. Given the

business value of geospatial

assets, it is important we create a

vision for how we intend to enhance

spatial literacy.


REPRESENTING Distance & Direction

Spatial Relationships

DEPICTING Interpretation

Visualization

REASONING Problem solving

Decision making

Why Spatial Literacy?

Location forms the context or underlying fabric of many government

decisions. Cultivating spatial literacy leverages this framework to

quickly uncover diverse impacts from various courses of action.

SPATIAL LITERACY is the ability to understand the concepts of

spatial representation, employ appropriate visualization and

interpretation, and extrapolate concepts of place as a framework

for understanding data (Witham Bednarz & Kemp, 2011).

Spatial Literacy


STRATEGIC THEMES

Based on discussions with

stakeholders four themes

were identified around

which goals have

been developed.

STREAMLINE

ACCESS

DESIGN

SYSTEMS

MODERNIZE

PROCESSES

STRENGTHEN

COMMUNITY


STRATEGIC GOALS

OBJECTIVE 1: DEVELOP THE GEOPLATFORM

A GeoPlatform provides geospatial data, services, and applications to assist businesses, citizens,

and the government with enabling a holistic view of the landscape. The GeoPlatform streamlines

access to data by ensuring consistency, governance, and availability for core geospatial assets.

Outcomes:

Adoption of a client centric approach

Data accessibility and storage

Data governance

OBJECTIVE 2: MODERNIZE THE PORTAL TECHNOLOGY

Portals are a tool to streamline access to datasets, however the way we interact and use data is

continually being innovated and portal technology must remain current to retain effectiveness.

Outcomes:

Enriched user experience

Discoverability and exposure of data assets

Increased integration

OBJECTIVE 3: STANDARDIZE DATA LICENSING OPTIONS

Spatial data is often subject to restrictions. Currently almost every restricted dataset has uniquely

described constraints applied to it. The Alberta Open Government License represents one type of

standardized licensing. Developing other standardized licensing options for spatial data and

implementing these options will simplify access.

Outcomes:

Data stewards and clients understand licensing constraints

Streamlined license selection

Improved risk mitigation for data sharing

STREAMLINING ACCESS

GOAL ONE: Alberta’s geospatial assets are accessible

and barrier-free.


STRATEGIC GOALS

OBJECTIVE 1: IMPLEMENT NEW GEOSPATIAL METADATA STANDARD

Metadata is a fundamental element in managing geospatial data. Implementing the current

geospatial metadata standard across the GoA will improve geospatial data management.

Outcomes:

Interoperability between platforms

Application of industry best practices

Data sharing risk mitigation

OBJECTIVE 2: EXPAND GEOPLATFORM COLLECTIONS

Integral to enhancing spatial literacy is ensuring a wide variety of spatial data is available.

Additionally, it is essential to spatially enable tabular datasets to expose their value to

stakeholders.

Outcomes:

Enhanced data visualization

More spatial datasets available

Hybrid data products created

OBJECTIVE 3: COMPLETE FOUNDATIONAL GEOPLATFORM CONTENT

The purpose of foundational geoplatform assets is to provide a consistent and authoritative

ecosystem for concatenating disparate datasets into a common view.

Outcomes:

Alberta advances national data integration

Comprehensive geoplatform content

Intake methodologies are documented

DESIGNING SYSTEMS

GOAL TWO: The Government of Alberta manages

geospatial data by implementing industry standards

and best practices.


STRATEGIC GOALS

OBJECTIVE 1: INCREASE AWARENESS OF THE POSTAL CODE TRANSLATOR FILE

The PCTF represents a foundational dataset often used to give spatial context to social data.

Improving the discoverability, awareness, and accessibility of this dataset will enhance usage

consistency and effectiveness for analytics.

Outcomes:

Streamlined access

Consistent framework

Increased spatially enabled social data

OBJECTIVE 2: BUILD THE ADDRESSING AND ROAD SYSTEMS

Alberta’s roads and addressing systems are foundational frameworks for organizing geospatial

data. Exposing and modernizing these systems will leverage improved methodologies for

collection and dissemination.

Outcomes:

Enhanced data quality

Consistent data collection process

Streamlined access

OBJECTIVE 3: AUDIT FOUNDATIONAL GEOPLATFORM CONTENT

To modernize processes it is necessary to review and document existing methods of data

collection. Auditing data collection methodologies allows for new and innovative techniques to

be utilized.

Outcomes:

Authoritative data

Clear governance structures

Known quality standards

MODERNIZING PROCESSES

GOAL THREE: Alberta’s developing spatial business

needs are met by leveraging innovative processes and

technologies.


STRATEGIC GOALS

OBJECTIVE 1: SUPPORT THE GOVERNMENT GEOSPATIAL COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE

Geospatial data and geographic information systems (GIS) represent a unique area of expertise

within government. Strengthening this internal network creates a platform from which to enhance

spatial literacy.

Outcomes:

Engaged network

Avenue for continuous learning

Enhanced external knowledge transfer

OBJECTIVE 2: PROVIDE GEOSPATIAL METADATA EXPERTISE

GeoDiscover depends upon geospatial metadata to share data. As the province’s geospatial data

infrastructure we seek to support our partners by providing expertise on documenting their data.

Outcomes:

Engaged subject matter experts

Interoperable and discoverable data

Consistent data documentation

OBJECTIVE 3: PARTNER WITH OTHER INSTITUTIONS

A strong community requires ongoing learning and diverse perspectives to advance and mature.

Partnering with organizations outside the GoA allows for new ideas to be generated and new

networks be developed.

Outcomes:

Integrated solutions and projects

Innovative approaches

Increased spatial literacy

STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY

GOAL FOUR: GeoDiscover works to strengthen networks

and communities of practice by enhancing spatial

literacy for stakeholders in Alberta and beyond.


Moving Forward

Leveraging place enables people to synthesize complex

issues quickly and find agreement on how to enhance and

integrate a multitude of initiatives.

This Strategic Plan identifies objectives and areas for development in the

next 3 years. We will work collaboratively with partners to drive for results,

using these themes, goals, and outcomes as a lens to focus projects.

Ongoing performance measurement is critical to ensuring geospatial

assets become accessible. GDA will be accountable to target projects

aligned with:

Streamlining access to geospatial data;

Designing a more holistic geospatial environment;

Modernizing processes with innovative solutions and industry

best practices; and

Strengthening networks

and communities of

practice to enhance spatial

literacy.

Working together with our community

of practice we will measure our

success by accomplishing these

aligned projects and then validating

them with our stakeholders.


Acknowledgements

This strategy is the product of ministry and other key geospatial stakehold-

er’s input and feedback. We gratefully acknowledge these stakeholders for

their contributions to this strategy. If you would like to engage further with

us on this document please contact us [email protected].

ALBERTA MUNICIPAL DATA SHARING

PARTNERSHIPS

Bryce Surina

Chairman, Director GIS & IT

ALBERTA ENERGY REGULATOR

Irene Dawe

Director, Information Distribution

Services

Andrea LePard

Manager, Data Services

Ken Banister

Senior Advisor - IRMS

Todd Shipman (AGS)

Manager, Landscapes and Geological

Hazards

Joan Waters (AGS)

GIS Specialist & Geologist

ALBERTA HEALTH SERVICES

Graham Vanderwater

Director, EMS Dispatch

AGRICULTURE & FORESTRY

Daryl Price

Director, Forest Resource Analysis

Section

David Spiess

GIS Engineer

CITY OF EDMONTON

Sinisa Vukicevic

Manager, Senior Spatial Forecasting

CITY OF LEDUC

Cindy Post

Manager, Geomatic Services

CITY OF ST. ALBERT

Tammy Kobliuk

GIS Coordinator

ENERGY

Lori Husak

Director, Resource Mapping

& Analysis

Ram Prasad

Systems Analyst

Salvatore Cucchiara

Systemic Designer

Jessica Spina

Systemic Designer

ENVIRONMENT & PARKS

Tom Davis

ADM, Corporate Services

Lee George

Acting Executive Director,

Informatics

Ray Keller

Chief Data Officer

Heather Wilson

Custom Series Mapping Lead

Jan Vassbotn

Acting GIS Team Lead

Geniene Sabila

Spatial Data Specialist

Shane Patterson

Science & Technology Specialist

Duke Hunter

Geomatics and Land Registries

Coordinator

Will Herman

GIS Specialist

Clark Beattie

Consultant – Strategic Alliance EDS

Derek Yee

Consultant – Strategic Alliance EDS

INNOVATION & ADVANCED EDUCATION

Michael Parkatti

Senior Director, Economic

Information & Analytics

INTEGRATED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

SYSTEM (IRMS) OFFICE

Ken Greenway

Acting Director

John Taggart

Manager, Science

Wayne Crosby

Systems Designer

MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS

Joannes Wong

Manager, Planning Advisory

SERVICE ALBERTA

Cathryn Landreth

ADM, Open Government

Mark Diner

Chief Advisor, Open Government and

Transparency

Laurel Frank

Executive Director, Records and

Information Management

Maureen Towle

Director, Strategic Information

Management

Max Merrett

Manager, Strategic Planning

Laura Lemmens

Information Literacy Librarian

TRANSPORTATION

Jerome Hetu

Section Head, GIS and Cartography

TREASURY BOARD & FINANCE

Annik Foreman

Chief Statistician/Director, Office of

Statistics & Information

Jennifer Hansen

Manager, Demography & Social

Statistics

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Strategy

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