Shift to Digital Mapping: "Points of Impact" on Management

The shift in market emphasis from conventional to digital mapping is now approaching completion in Canada. However, while hardware and software are evolving rapidly, management preparation and practices are not keeping pace. In some private companies, the loosely planned implementation of digital mapping and geographic information systems are resulting in operational bottlenecks and, in some cases, significant financial losses. This paper draws on the industrial experience of the senior writer and examines the impact of digital mapping on the organization structure, systems management activities, and project management procedures in a private company. Some of the more significant issues of managing digital versus conventional mapping operations are discussed and some overal industry concerns are highlighted.