Elevating Your Impact: From Technical Expert To Strategic GIS Leader
Are you an experienced GIS professional seeking to transcend the boundaries of traditional GIS practice? Are you ready to transition from being a GIS technical resource into a strategic leader who can drive organizational change and innovation? If so, this half-day workshop is your gateway to a transformative journey in GIS.
Traditional approaches to GIS strategy — such as applying ROI models, project management methodologies, and strategic planning techniques — have provided a solid foundation for integrating GIS into organizations. By building upon and going beyond these methods, this workshop explores how to fully leverage the unique spatial context and interdisciplinary nature of GIS. Participants will discover innovative ways to enhance outcomes, seize new opportunities, and maximize the transformative potential of GIS.
The workshop will be held at GeoIgnite 2025, Canada’s National Geospatial Leadership Conference May 12-14, 2025, in Ottawa.
In this workshop, you will learn how to:
- Position and Communicate the Strategic Value of GIS: GIS is more than just a mapping tool — it’s a strategic asset that can shape the future of your organization. This workshop will empower you to articulate its value proposition beyond technical capabilities, aligning GIS initiatives with organizational goals to maximize impact. You will also learn how to tailor your communication to resonate with diverse stakeholders, from executives to frontline staff, ensuring broad support for GIS initiatives and positioning yourself as a trusted advisor to senior leadership.
- Shift to Impact-Based Approaches: Traditional value-based metrics often fail to capture the transformative impact GIS can have on an organization. This workshop will guide you in transitioning to impact-based approaches for measuring GIS success. You will learn how to demonstrate the tangible and intangible benefits of GIS initiatives, focusing on outcomes that drive organizational change and innovation.
- Align GIS with Organizational Strategies: GIS has the potential to revolutionize how organizations operate, but only if it’s aligned with overarching strategic objectives. This workshop will show you how to identify opportunities to leverage GIS to address critical business challenges, enhance decision-making processes, and drive innovation. You will gain practical insights into aligning GIS initiatives with organizational strategies and maximizing their impact.
- Shift Your Perspective: It’s time to move beyond the “What and How” of GIS and embrace the “Who and Why” behind it. This workshop will challenge you to shift your perspective and think about GIS from a holistic standpoint. By understanding the human and strategic dimensions of GIS, you will be better equipped to navigate complex organizational dynamics and drive meaningful change.
- Leverage Your Analytical and Technical Skills: As an experienced GIS technical analyst, you possess a unique blend of analytical and technical skills. This workshop will show you how to leverage these skills to drive strategic initiatives and deliver tangible results for your organization. You will learn how to translate your technical expertise into actionable insights and recommendations that support strategic decision-making and business planning.
Don’t miss this opportunity to take your GIS skills to the next level and become a strategic leader in your organization. Join us for a half-day workshop that will empower you to position GIS strategically, communicate its value effectively, align it with organizational strategies, explore why strategic plans fail, shift to impact-based approaches, and leverage your analytical and technical skills for maximum impact. Register now and embark on a journey of transformation and growth in GIS.
Click here to register for the workshop