Urban growth, smart city initiatives, and the demand for efficient service delivery are driving local governments to adopt geographic information systems (GIS) as essential tools for managing complex challenges. However, barriers such as limited budgets, labor shortages, and outdated infrastructure often hinder effective GIS implementation. To address these challenges, Info-Tech Research Group has released Mapping Success, a strategic guide that equips IT leaders with actionable strategies to modernize GIS operations, improve decision-making, and enhance service delivery.

Patrick Spencer, research fellow at Info-Tech, emphasizes the importance of aligning GIS initiatives with government priorities, fostering collaboration, and maximizing investments in GIS technology. Despite its potential to transform urban planning, emergency response, natural resource management, and more, adoption is limited by poor internet access in underserved regions and a lack of awareness about GIS capabilities among decision-makers.

The guide advocates for building robust governance frameworks, promoting spatial literacy, and prioritizing data security to ensure GIS efforts align with organizational goals. By integrating technologies such as satellite imagery, IoT data, and open data platforms, GIS provides valuable insights for effective decision-making. Tools like ArcGIS and QGIS enable spatial data visualization and analysis, while digital twinning solutions simulate real-world scenarios to optimize infrastructure and urban planning.

The report highlights GIS’s role in addressing pressing issues, such as broadband service gaps and citizen engagement, while encouraging governments to embrace digital innovation. By leveraging GIS, governments can enhance operational efficiency, transparency, and cross-sector collaboration, unlocking the full potential of geospatial analysis to drive sustainable, data-driven governance.