Project management is the application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities in order to meet project requirements--all focused on delivering desired results on schedule and on budget. In geospatial projects, results are often defined deliverables--tangible products or results of project work which are well-defined in a project plan. For example, in a project with the objective of developing a GIS database, deliverables could include processed aerial imagery or LiDAR elevation data ready to load into the GIS database for access by users.
Project management is not a new field, but it is a discipline that has been formalized greatly over the last 30 years with a range of documented methods, best practices, and automated tools to support projection planning and execution. A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), 7th Edition. This document can be obtained by online order [1]. This PMI is the world's leading professional association that develops and promotes project management standards and best practices (for all types of projects). The PMI also offers a number of project management and program management professional certifications--the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification being the most popular and widely recognized. Students are encouraged to examine the materials from the PMI and pursue one of its certifications. Take a look at the PMI website [2] and build some awareness of the scope and services of this organization. While not a mandatory text for this course, we recommend that you consider obtaining a copy of the PMBOK and use it as a reference guide for the planning and management of future projects.
There are a number of government and independent organizations which develop, adopt, and promote the application of standards associated with IT and GIS. Some of the more important standards bodies include:
In addition to these formal standards bodies, there are a large number of professional organizations that promote standards and best practices for the development, use, and management of geospatial technology. Two of the most prominent are the Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA [8]) and the American Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS [9]). Also, there are many discipline-specific professional associations that have committees or groups that address geospatial issues.