You’re a GIS professional who wants to increase productivity. What can you do to innovate?

2 Learn new skills

Another way to boost your productivity and innovation in GIS is to learn new skills and technologies. GIS is a constantly evolving field that requires you to keep up with the latest trends and developments. You can learn new skills by taking online courses, reading blogs and books, watching tutorials, or joining webinars and workshops. For example, you can learn how to use cloud-based platforms, such as ArcGIS Online or Google Earth Engine, to store, process, and share your data. You can also learn how to use machine learning, artificial intelligence, or big data analytics to enhance your GIS capabilities.

3 Collaborate with others

A third way to increase your productivity and innovation in GIS is to collaborate with others. GIS is a multidisciplinary field that can benefit from the input and feedback of different perspectives and expertise. You can collaborate with others by joining online communities, forums, or groups, such as GIS Stack Exchange or GeoNet. You can also collaborate with others by participating in hackathons, competitions, or projects, such as Humanitarian OpenStreetMap or NASA Space Apps Challenge. By collaborating with others, you can learn from their experiences, share your ideas, and create innovative solutions.

4 Experiment with your data

A fourth way to increase your productivity and innovation in GIS is to experiment with your data. GIS is a creative tool that can help you explore and discover new possibilities and insights from your data. You can experiment with your data by trying different methods, techniques, or tools, such as spatial analysis, geostatistics, or geovisualization. You can also experiment with your data by asking new questions, testing hypotheses, or finding patterns. By experimenting with your data, you can enhance your analytical skills, generate new knowledge, and spark your curiosity.

5 Optimize your performance

A fifth way to increase your productivity and innovation in GIS is to optimize your performance. GIS is a demanding tool that can require a lot of computing power and resources. You can optimize your performance by following best practices, such as organizing your data, using appropriate file formats, indexing your data, or compressing your data. You can also optimize your performance by using hardware and software that meet your needs, such as RAM, CPU, GPU, or SSD. By optimizing your performance, you can improve your speed, quality, and reliability in GIS.

6 Challenge yourself

A sixth way to increase your productivity and innovation in GIS is to challenge yourself. GIS is a rewarding tool that can help you achieve your goals, solve problems, and make a difference. You can challenge yourself by setting realistic and measurable objectives, such as completing a project, learning a new skill, or applying for a job. You can also challenge yourself by seeking feedback, improving your weaknesses, or embracing failures. By challenging yourself, you can grow your confidence, motivation, and passion in GIS.

7 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?