DRAFT - DOI EGIM Communication Plan (Version 2)

Items in the plan in italics are mainly comments to the EGIM team, not for final inclusion in the plan. This plan is not very complex, and needs additional input.

Overview

The Department of the Interior (DOI) is a leader in many aspects of Geospatial data and technology, with a number of exciting projects underway. This is a geographically and administratively dispersed agency, however, and it is not easy to discover offices that might be working on similar projects or potential partners hoping to cost share on a data gathering effort.

The goal of this communication plan is to facilitate discovery of all types of information about geospatial activities in DOI. To accomplish that the DOI Enterprise Geographic Information Management (EGIM) Team needs to inventory existing and planned Geographic Information System (GIS) efforts in the bureaus and make that information much more accessible to all GIS users in DOI.

This information will make it possible to better coordinate GIS activities within DOI as well as other Federal agencies and to meet a number of mandates concerning reducing duplication of effort in geospatial activities.

Content
This plan calls for a two phase approach. Items in Phase 1 are relatively simple, consisting of:

1. A central web site to serve as a DOI portal for geospatial information
2. Links to existing bureau web pages that already exist
3. Periodic informational notes to all bureau listservs or similar e-mail type communication forums on focused topics such as major departmental initiatives.

Phase 2 includes long term, more complex items such as a DOI-wide Geospatial Knowledge base and a central Help Desk. These initiatives will require new resources including funding and staff, and need to be phased in over several fiscal years.

Phase 1

1. Central DOI GIS web page development:
   1. Add a link on the existing web page at http://www.doi.gov/maps/maps.html to the EGIM team public web site at http://www.nps.gov/gis/egim/. Work with the owner of the page to broaden the description to include Geospatial activities in addition to maps.
   2. Expand the existing public EGIM Team web site. Geospatial data resources should be publicized through Geospatial One-Stop, but this web site should be used as a portal for other DOI geospatial activities such as Enterprise Architecture or training.
      1. Add a training section to the EGIM Team web site. The Interior Training Directors Council sponsors a web site (http://oslearn.ntc.blm.gov/itdc.nsf/) that lets users search for class listings across DOI bureaus. A search can be by category, keyword, or member organization. The site is quite comprehensive for classes offered through existing training centers within DOI.
         
         Many other GIS classes are offered at various locations around the country on an as needed basis, sponsored by local field or regional offices. There is currently no consistent method for finding out about this type of class. A web page will be linked here that lists those classes where spaces are available. Class sponsors can send a short e-mail in a specific format to the web page contact to have the class information posted, then removed when the class is done.
      2. Add a short section discussing Geospatial Architecture, Policies and Best Practices. This section needs to refer to the DOI Enterprise Architecture web site at http://www.doi.gov/ocio/, but also needs to present some of the major concepts in language that geographers, biologists, park managers, and other GIS users will readily understand. This section should also include links to Geospatial One-Stop, FGDC, The National Map, Circular A-16, and perhaps other major Geospatial initiatives or legislation.
      3. Add a section listing Bureau and major Program Geospatial contacts (e.g. Fire), with e-mail links.
   3. Expand the existing secure EGIM Team web site to include a Central technical support site. This site would include links to FAQs, contract information and other passive support items. All bureaus can contribute, and could link to the site from their secure pages to facilitate access.
2. Create Shared Communication via listservs or other existing e-mail based systems
1. Establish a method to share announcements and important information between bureaus: .Press Releases. on upcoming workshops, major departmental initiatives, training, or other major items. This would expand on the current informal sharing that occurs.

Phase 2

The efforts listed below are part of the longer term EGIM initiative. As they are developed, they will provide extended support to DOI staff. The EGIM team will need to publicize these efforts to DOI staff. They are more internal than external in nature, and may require an expansion of an internal web site or some other method of access. At least some of them would be interactive, requiring user support. They will also need a robust DOI network infrastructure that allows reliable communication between bureaus.

Help Desk . Central Site . contact information, guidelines
Bibliographic/Library search
Knowledge Base
Existing and Planned projects (data collection, models, research)
Directory listing technical experts in: GPS & mobile mapping, Geodatabase, data transfer, etc
Directory listing subject matter experts in: Fire, land management, specific data sets, etc