1. Setting Standards for GIS in Sierra Leone
Mr Julius Mattai - Geological Mapping & Analysis Manager, National Minerals Agency
Setting Standards for GIS in Sierra Leone
Freetown GIS Conference 2013
Supported by…

2. Purpose and Plan of Presentation
To increase awareness of GIS standards for spatial data documentation, collection and exchange so that spatial data can be efficiently and effectively shared across organisational boundaries
Plan
GIS as an Enterprise Information System that demands standards
Highlight the key problems the GIS community faces in Sierra Leone
An overview of GIS standards and Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI)
Setting standards for GIS in Sierra Leone
Issues for discussion

3. GIS - An Enterprise Information System That Demands Standards
UN Programmes/Projects
World Bank /AfDB Projects
EU/USAID Projects
Other NGOs
EPA
NMA
SSL
SLIS/DACO
Investors
Academia
Consultants
CSOs
MWR
MLCPE
MTA
MAFFS
Software
Hardware
Data
Information
People
Business Processes
GIS
Rehabilitated Areas
Topography
Socio-economic
Land Use
Settlements
Farmlands
Sensitive Area
Infrastructure
Wetlands
Mining
Vegetation
Utilities
Air Quality & Climate
Slope & Aspect,
Biodiversity
Business Processes
Information Systems
(IS)
Information Technology
(IT)
Demands GIS Standards for Integration, Collaboration and Interoperability

4. GIS Data is Complex and Difficult to Manage
GIS/Spatial data is complex – includes identity, location, shape, relationship, orientation and other attributes, and stored in various formats
NMA
Consultants
Academia
UN & World Bank Projects
Ministries, Departments & Agencies
CSO
EPA-SL
Spatial data models (vectors/raster,)
Databases
Spreadsheets
Proprietary and open source formats
Structured
Remote sensing and satellite imagery
Aerial photos and digital maps/models
Graphics, audio and video
Text/numbers
Semi-Structured/Unstructured
Extracted
Exported
Imported
Migrated
Validated
Edited
Updated
Cleansed
Transformed
Converted
Integrated
Segregated
Aggregated
Referenced
Analysed
Mined
Modelled
Mapped
Reviewed
Reported
Backed up
Recovered
Archived
Deleted

5. Key Problems the GIS Community Faces in Sierra Leone
Lack of GIS Standards and Data Integration
GIS data and information stored and managed without GIS standards
No spatial data integration or interoperability across organisations
Lack of Data Sharing and Shared Metadata
Information does flow freely across MDAs and organisations
Data about data is lacking - Difficulty finding and assessing data
Poor Data Quality and Security
Missing information about data currency (timeliness), accuracy, resolution, consistency, completeness & relevance, etc
Little or no adherence to Copyright and Intellectual Property Right – Piracy and use of “cracked” software

6. Key Problems the GIS Community Faces in Sierra Leone
Inconsistent Spatial Data
Merging spatial data from different departments or organisations often leads to inconsistent and conflicting data and information
Incomplete and Inaccurate Data
GIS data and information are often incorrect, out of date, missing or not-fit-for-purpose
Data Redundancy and Inconsistency
The presence of duplicate spatial data in multiple data files in several places within the same department or organisation

7. Key Questions About Spatial Data…Metadata
When?
Why?
How?
Who?
What?
Where?
Where did you get the GIS data from?
Which GIS Standards did you use?

8. GIS Standards and Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI)
GIS Standards are common methods, protocols or conventions that enables GIS stakeholders (users and providers) to share, collaborate, integrate, interoperate, coordinate and communicate GIS resources
Sharing of GIS Resources Requires GIS Standards
Hardware, Network Communications and Physical Connections
Application Software, Operating Systems and Data Formats
Databases and Development Tools
Desktop, Server, Web and Mobile Applications
Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI)
The fundamental spatial datasets; the standards that enable integration; the distribution networks that provide access; the standards and policies that ensure compatibility; and the people, at each level – workgroup, departmental, organisational, local, regional, national or global

9. People & Institutions GIS Standards
Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) and GIS Standards
Legal Framework & Policies
People & Institutions
GIS Standards
Hardware, Software & Network Communications
Clearinghouse Services
Discovery
Access
Protocols
Metadata
Spatial Reference
Systems
Thematic Datasets

10. SDI – Key to Decentralized Spatial Data Management & Integration
NMA
metadata
Non-Spatial
Spatial
Local Data
Business Systems
MAFFS
Non-Spatial
Local Data
metadata
Spatial
Business Systems
GIS Standards
Data & Systems Infrastructure
Virtual
Data Warehouse
QA/QC, Insert, Extract
Publish, Access, Share
Casual GIS User
Embedded GIS User
Desktop GIS User
EPA-SL
Non-Spatial
Spatial
metadata
Local Data
Business Systems
GIS Portal Services

11. Open Standards (ISO/TC) Metadata Standards
Types of GIS Standards
Open Standards (ISO/TC)
Standards are voluntary; ISO/TC Geographic information/Geomatics
Metadata Standards
Standards for metadata; ISO 19115: Geographic information - Metadata
System Standards
Geographic information & application domain standards
Abstract Standard
Framework standards; e.g., Geographic Information – Reference Model
Industry Standards Groups (e.g., OGC)
Closed and dominated by the major financial contributors; WMS, WFS,
De facto Standards
Proprietary and locked-in technology
Standards for Many Different Things
Information, Service, Catalogue, Interface, Model, Product, Procedure, etc
Concrete Standard
Information, Service, Catalogue/Registry, Interface, Model, Procedure, etc

12. No Need to Re-invent the Wheel – Use International GIS Standards
Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC)
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Industry Standards Organisations Working on GIS Standards
Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI)
Digital Geographic Information Working Group (DGIWG)
European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)

13. Setting Standards For GIS in Sierra Leone
Compile further information in support of national efforts to standardize geographic information
Provide motivation for GIS standardization efforts in terms of development agenda
Improve interactions with international and national standards bodies and gain its support in GIS standards development
Draw upon existing standards to fast track standard development
Establish structures to ensure broad participation in standards development
Support GIS standardisation through policy and legal mechanisms

14. Setting Standards For GIS in Sierra Leone
Improve GIS metadata development and usage of metadata and clearinghouses
Make available information resources relevant to GIS standards development and implementation
Involve universities and training institutions in developing standards and providing tools for standards implementation
Improve communication about GIS standards through newsletters
Use existing networking opportunities, where people can meet to advance GIS standards/share experiences face to face
Compile an inventory of institutions and expertise that can provide technical standardization support

15. But First…Issues for Discussion
Who pays for the GIS Standards development and implementation processes?
Who tests the GIS Standards for conformance?
Who assumes the overall collective leadership role?
Setting GIS Standards for Sierra Leone
Who determines what GIS Standards are needed?
Who drafts the GIS Standards?
Who are the appropriate players and what are their respective roles?
Who advocates for the user community of GIS Standards?
Who should communicate what to whom?

16. All partners must agree and then respect
Setting GIS Standards in Sierra Leone Requires Collaboration at Higher Level
All partners must agree and then respect
Responsibilities
Infrastructure
Communication
Content

17. Geological Mapping & Analysis Manager
Questions & Answers
Thank You!
Julius Mattai
Geological Mapping & Analysis Manager