How do you convince stakeholders of the value of GIS?

1 Know your audience

Before you present your GIS solution, you need to know who your audience is, what their needs and goals are, and what their level of familiarity and interest in GIS is. This will help you tailor your message, language, and format to suit their expectations and preferences. For example, you may need to explain what GIS is and how it works to a non-technical audience, or use more specific and technical terms and examples to a GIS-savvy audience. You may also need to adjust your tone and style depending on whether you are talking to a senior executive, a project manager, a potential partner, or a community member.

2 Show the benefits

One of the most effective ways to convince stakeholders of the value of GIS is to show them how it can benefit them and their organization, project, or problem. You can do this by using concrete and relevant examples, case studies, or testimonials that demonstrate how GIS can help them achieve their objectives, solve their challenges, or improve their situation. You can also use visual aids, such as maps, charts, graphs, or animations, to illustrate your points and make them more engaging and memorable. You should also highlight the advantages of GIS over other methods or tools, such as its accuracy, efficiency, flexibility, or scalability.

3 Address the challenges

While you want to emphasize the positive aspects of GIS, you should also be prepared to address the potential challenges or barriers that may prevent stakeholders from adopting or supporting GIS. These may include technical, financial, organizational, or cultural issues, such as lack of skills, resources, infrastructure, or awareness. You should acknowledge these challenges and show how they can be overcome or mitigated with proper planning, training, funding, or collaboration. You should also anticipate and respond to any questions, objections, or concerns that your audience may have about GIS, and provide clear and honest answers.

4 Involve and engage

Another way to convince stakeholders of the value of GIS is to involve and engage them in the process of developing, implementing, or evaluating your GIS solution. You can do this by soliciting their input, feedback, or suggestions, inviting them to participate in workshops, demonstrations, or trials, or asking them to share their stories, experiences, or outcomes. By involving and engaging your stakeholders, you can build trust, rapport, and ownership, as well as increase their understanding and appreciation of GIS. You can also use this opportunity to learn from them and improve your GIS solution based on their needs and preferences.

5 Follow up and follow through

Finally, you should follow up and follow through with your stakeholders after you present your GIS solution. You can do this by sending them a summary of your presentation, thanking them for their time and attention, providing them with additional information or resources, or asking them for their feedback or opinions. You should also keep them updated on the progress and results of your GIS solution, and report on the impacts and outcomes that it has achieved. By following up and following through, you can maintain and strengthen your relationship with your stakeholders, and show them that you value and respect their involvement and support.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?