ESRI Australia

August Bulletin

Having the right data is critical. In this issue of the Training Bulletin we investigate the role of data in the "Geographic Approach" and some of the training you can do to help ensure your data is well maintained.

In this issue:

  • The Geographic Approach
  • Do you think spatially?
  • More on geodatabases
  • The top tip of the month

The Geographic Approach

Integrating geographic information

 A way of thinking and solving problems,
 the Geographic Approach integrates
 geographic information when considering
 a whole range of human activities. By
 working through a process of creating,
 analysing and modelling scenarios
 using geography we can graduate to the
 next step of applying location based
 knowledge to the way we design and
 plan; working smarter and achieving
 better outcomes.

 An integral part of the five steps of the
 "Geographic Approach" is ensuring your
 data is framed according to your problem
 statement; that is, after considering your
 question from a location-based perspective
 you have been able to assess and acquire
 the data appropriate to your needs.

The five steps of the Geographic Approach are outlined below:

Step 1 // Ask
> Frame your question from a location-based perspective. What is the problem you are trying
to solve or analyse and where is it located?

Step 2 // Acquire
> After clearly defining your problem, you need to understand where and how you can acquire
the data required to perform further analysis.

Step 3 // Examine
> Whilst you can make every attempt to acquire the data you need, further examination will
determine if the information will actually meet your requirements. This includes how well the
data corresponds to other data sets and the associated metadata.

Step 4 // Analyse
> You need to understand your modelling methods and parameters so as you can correctly
interpret the results.

Step 5 // Act
> Present your results and analysis so interested stakeholders can make informed decisions.
Closing the loop, this full disclosure allows parties to use information, undertake further
analysis and importantly understand your analysis.

Ensuring you have a well managed and maintained geodatabase can significantly contribute
to ensuring your data meets your needs. Data management is critical to enabling your
organisation to fully utilise the Geographic Approach; with well maintained data allowing
agility and responsiveness in regards to analytical capability. 

Geodatabases are the heart of an ArcGIS system. They manage a complete information
model of geographic data in heterogeneous and scalable storage environments. These include
DBMSs, such as IBM DB2, Oracle, and Microsoft SQL Server, as well as scaling down to
files.

By stepping through the 5 stages of The Geographic Approach you are challenging your
thinking and analytical processes and methodologies; allowing the important geographic
information your organisation possesses to be integrated with key business data improving
the decision making capabilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you Think Spatially?

Broaden your view

If you were asked to consider a map or some imagery and present a business recommendation based on the data shown on that map or image, would you know what questions to ask? Would you be able to draw out the information contained within a map or image to support a business recommendation?

The key can be to walk through a number of considerations that can help to broaden your view of the data and help direct you towards a range of questions you may not have answered. 

Consider the following:

  • Are there any recognisable patterns on map and if so what parameters are common to these patterns?
  • Assess proximity and distance to understand if there are any influences
  • Couple space and time. Extend your assessment to couple time with location, by linking the two you consider influences which may not be directly associated with location
  • Consider dimensions. Are there any multi-dimensional elements I should be addressing on the map or image provided, for example what kind of information does assessing the fall of a shadow provide me?
  • Understand interactions and connections to help determine sensitivity and uncertainty

Good Resources
> Training Course // ArcGIS Desktop I: Getting Started with GIS
> Literature // Map Use: Reading and Analysis

More on Geodatabases

All about Geodatabases

Find out more about:

Top Tip of the Month

Reduce draw time

Working on large data sets in ArcMap?  Find out how you can reduce draw time.

More on Geodatabases

ESRI Australia Connect