Bridging the gap between GIS and asset management: Enhancing value through integration

In today’s digital age, organizations looking to establish effective asset management practices have a plethora of options available to them. One example includes geographic information systems (GIS), which have become powerful tools for managing spatial data as they allow organizations to visualize, analyze and make informed decisions based on geographic information.

The reality is that it’s impossible to extract a holistic asset management approach from GIS software alone. To gain confidence in your organization’s long-term planning and decision-making, it is essential to bridge the gap between GIS and asset management systems and start by considering your asset management maturity, systems maturity and data maturity, as these elements serve as the foundation for strong asset management programs.

Asset management maturity
Asset management maturity refers to an organization’s understanding and implementation of asset management principles and practices. It encompasses the strength of the organization’s strategies, policies, and procedures for managing assets effectively. The organizational cognizance of asset management is the foundation upon which GIS integration should be built. With a mature asset management framework in place, the true value of GIS integration can finally be realized.

Ideally, department managers should be encouraging cross-functional collaboration and knowledge sharing between GIS professionals and asset management practitioners. Developing training programs to enhance staff’s understanding and utilization of GIS within asset management processes will also make this process much easier.

Systems maturity
Systems maturity relates to the technological infrastructure supporting asset management activities. Outdated or inefficient systems can hinder the integration process and limit the capabilities of GIS. For instance, legacy systems tend to require more resources and effort to maintain, are less likely to integrate with new technologies, and often lack the functionalities necessary to support asset management practices effectively. To reduce such impediments, organizations must invest in modern, robust systems that can seamlessly integrate GIS capabilities within your organization’s broader asset management processes.

Data maturity
An asset management system will only function as well as the data entered into it. In other words, the quality and completeness of data will directly influence the accuracy and reliability of any organization’s asset management practices. Organizations need to establish effective processes and procedures to ensure that acquisition, collection, and maintenance of high-quality asset information is understood by everyone working directly or indirectly with data. It is essential to define what constitutes relevant data and establish guidelines for improving existing datasets. Additionally, GIS data can be combined with financial data to conduct risk analyses, lifecycle analyses, and levels of service analyses, to paint a clearer image of your assets. By leveraging GIS capabilities, organizations can extract valuable insights from their data and make data-driven, informed decisions to enhance their asset management practices.

While GIS databases with software are valuable tools, they cannot serve as a holistic asset management approach unless integrated into a comprehensive asset management framework. Organizations should recognize that asset management involves multiple dimensions, including strategy, policy, technology and data governance. Integrating GIS within this broader context enhances the effectiveness and efficiency of asset management processes.

These six considerations and associated questions are intended to help your community better understand the current state of its asset data and guide staff to define a process for extracting high-quality asset data from existing datasets moving forward.

Bridging the gap between GIS and asset management is not merely about implementing expensive software or building a GIS database. It requires a comprehensive understanding of asset management principles, investment in robust systems, and the establishment of sound data governance processes. By integrating GIS within an overarching asset management framework, organizations can unlock the full potential of spatial data, improve decision-making, and enhance the value derived from their assets. The synergy between GIS and asset management can pave the way for more effective asset utilization, improved maintenance practices and optimized performance in various industries and organizations.

Chris Vanderheyden is a director of asset management advisory at PSD Citywide with more than 30 years of combined experience in private and municipal infrastructure planning, design, development and data management. In his role, he leads a team of skilled professionals, overseeing the strategic planning and implementation of asset management initiatives across multiple organizations throughout Canada and the United States. Vanderheyden possesses a degree in GIS and Urban Planning, IAM Certificate, and actively pursuing PMP certification.