For immediate release: July 23, 2008 - This issue brief is part of NASCIO’s series on Enterprise Governance and deals with the growing demand for GIS in every aspect of government decision making. GIS, or geo-spatial resources, involves more then technology. It is the organization, management and delivery processes associated with managing geo-spatial resources. GIS ranked as one of the Top Ten Technologies by state CIOs at the NASCIO 2007 Annual Conference. This issue brief is available at: www.nascio.org/publications.

“GIS is continuing to grow in its use in business decision making,” said Utah CIO Stephen Fletcher, co-chair of NASCIO’s Enterprise Architecture Committee. “GIS is really a portfolio of capabilities that extends across the enterprise. The investment in this portfolio is growing and we need to be sure we are managing this investment as well as incorporating GIS process and knowledge assets within enterprise architecture, information architecture, and program management. We are including this issue brief within our series on Enterprise Governance because this resource has become so significant for state government. State GIS Coordinators have become a valued advisor across the enterprise. We offer this issue brief as way of building awareness of potential of GIS within the state government enterprise and the NASCIO community; exploring and communicating the potential for further leveraging not only GIS technology, but the GIS organization; and the role of the state Chief Information Officer in delivery of a successful state GIS program that is coordinated and orchestrated to facilitate cross line of business collaboration and investment.”

Anymore, GIS becomes relevant to every state agency and initiative. With proper governance, appropriate partnering, and investment, this resource can assist state government decision makers in making better, more informed decisions. Data and information that is enhanced with a location perspective often brings new insight and understanding. Add to that the layering of multiple dimensions and intersections, and cross line of business collaboration reaches a whole new level that can demonstrate immense value to state government for not only enterprise agility and rapid response but also long term strategy and multi-jurisdiction collaboration.

NASCIO is the premier network and resource for state CIOs and a leading advocate for technology policy at all levels of government. NASCIO represents state chief information officers and information technology executives from the states, territories, and the District of Columbia. The primary state government members are senior officials who have executive level and statewide responsibility for information technology leadership. State officials who are involved in agency level information technology management may participate as state members. Representatives from other public sector and non-profit organizations may also participate as associate members. Private sector firms may join as corporate members and participate in the Corporate Leadership Council.

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For more information, please contact Eric Sweden, NASCIO Enterprise Architect, at (859) 514-9189 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or or Shawn Karrick, NASCIO Membership and Communications Coordinator, at (859) 514-9156 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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