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INSTRUCTOR: 
Alfredo Cely, P.E., MSEM, M.ASCE

This course is part of the Geographic Information Systems for Asset Management Certificate Program.

Purpose and Background

The main intent of this course is to familiarize practitioners with applications of GIS within asset management. This course will provide practicing professionals within private and public utility agencies with the knowledge necessary to capitalize on the efficiencies of using GIS in infrastructure management applications. General GIS and asset management concepts will be covered throughout this introductory course that can assist practitioners in making decisions on the best-suited applications for their respective utility or infrastructure network.

Benefits and Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Gather a thorough background on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and their applications in the management of infrastructure assets. This will help you identify opportunities where GIS can improve asset management operations, apply GIS products into asset management decisions and proactively implement solutions to overcome implementation challenges.
  • Develop GIS Programs for infrastructure asset management that can satisfy organization needs.
  • Design workflows for collecting and processing data. Including the development of field tests for each type of workflow and how to implement changes based on test feedback.
  • Manage and maintain GIS Program workflows through the appropriate allocation of capital and human resources.

Assessment of Learning Outcomes

Achievement of the learning outcomes by attendees will be assessed through (3) exams.

Who Should Attend?

  • Public agency engineers and planners
  • Consultant engineers
  • A/E contractors
  • GIS analysts and project managers

How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs

This course is worth 2.4 CEUs/24 PDHs. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete (3) exams and receive a passing score of 70% or higher.

How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?

1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]

Course Outline

Week 1 Introduction to Using GIS for Asset Management
Given general infrastructure management tasks, identify opportunities for improvement by using GIS.
Describe the two key methods on how GIS can help decision making when managing infrastructure.
Identify at least 4 common challenges for implementing GIS and how to overcome them.

Week 2 Best Practices and Common Steps for Implementing GIS in Asset Management
Identify the common needs of the three main management areas within infrastructure agencies.
Determine the five common incremental steps for implementing GIS programs.
Describe the four pillars of a successful GIS program in infrastructure management.

Week 3 Identifying Organizational Needs and Resources
Use five common questions to determine the scope of a GIS Program within asset management applications.
Describe the two types of consumers of GIS Data and their respective needs within the Infrastructure Asset Management Industry.
Determine the two core workflows for developing a GIS Program in asset management.

Week 4 Developing Draft Workflows for Data Collection and Processing
Develop draft workflows for data collection within the infrastructure asset management industry.
Develop draft workflows for processing data obtained through GIS applications.
Given workflows for data collection and processing, identify the key personnel resources needed to carry out each workflow task.
Exam: Weeks 1-4

Week 5 Testing and Implementing Data Collection and Processing Workflows
Develop a general schedule to conduct field beta­tests.
Identify six common occurrences of corner cases within data collection tasks.
Determine the three key tasks that require refinement based on field tests.

Week 6 Training Personnel and Assigning Responsibilities
Describe the 5 key steps to develop an implementation plan.
Develop a training outline for data collection tasks.
Develop a training outline for data processing tasks.

Week 7 Collecting GIS Data
Recognize the difference between Raster and Vector data without error.
Identify the difference between primary and secondary GIS data.
Identify at least two common opportunities to collect GIS data within day-to-day asset management operations.

Week 8 GIS Data Accuracy and Precision
Determine the statistical difference between accuracy and precision
Given a specific Asset Management activity determine the required precision and accuracy for GIS Data.
Identify the four principal measures to assess the spatial quality of GIS data.
Exam: Weeks 4-8

Week 9 Developing GIS Data Catalogs
List the three main geometrical classifications of GIS data without error.
Recognize the five main types of attributes of GIS data.
Identify which type of GIS Data is the most suited to represent terrain elevations.

Week 10 Processing GIS Data
Describe correctly at least one process for improving the positional accuracy of field data.
Name the four steps used to reconcile field data with field comments.
Identify at least two methods to spatially compare data

Week 11 Managing Data Collection and Processing Workflows
Describe the difference between direct and indirect processes without error.
Recognize the three key differences between In­-house personnel and outside consultants.
Develop an operating budget to support a GIS Program for infrastructure asset management.

Week 12 Maintaining GIS Databases
Given a data set, determine the appropriate GIS Data Catalog to be used to store the data.
Define two common processes to maintain GIS Data through continuous and intermittent operations. Apply at least two best management practices to develop a work plan for new GIS projects.
Exam: Weeks 9-12


Overview Course Outline

This course is now running on-demand rather than to a live schedule, making it easier to fit into your life.

If you are not currently logged into ASCE, you will be asked to login or create an ASCE account.

Course Schedule

Week 1: Introduction to Using GIS for Asset Management

Learning Outcomes:

  • Given general infrastructure management tasks, identify opportunities for improvement by using GIS.
  • Describe the two key methods on how GIS can help decision making when managing infrastructure.
  • Identify at least 4 common challenges for implementing GIS and how to overcome them.

Topics:

  • Background on GIS and Asset Management 
  • GIS as a Decision-Making Tool 
  • Challenges for Implementing GIS

Week 2: Best Practices and Common Steps for Implementing GIS in Asset Management

Learning Outcomes:

  • Identify the common needs of the three main management areas within infrastructure agencies.
  • Determine the five common incremental steps for implementing GIS programs. 
  • Describe the four pillars of a successful GIS program in infrastructure management. 

Topics:

  • Common Needs within Asset Management
  • Developing a GIS Program for Asset Management Applications
  • Integrating GIS with Core Infrastructure Management Tasks

Week 3: Identifying Organizational Needs and Resources

Learning Outcomes:

  • Use five common questions to determine the scope of a GIS Program within asset management applications.
  • Describe the two types of consumers of GIS Data and their respective needs within the Infrastructure Asset Management Industry.
  • Determine the two core workflows for developing a GIS Program in asset management.

Topics:

  • Developing the Scope of an Asset Management GIS Program
  • Needs of Data Producers and Consumers
  • Workflows for the Development of GIS Data in Infrastructure Management Applications

Week 4: Developing Draft Workflows for Data Collection and Processing

Learning Outcomes:

  • Develop draft workflows for data collection within the infrastructure asset management industry. 
  • Develop draft workflows for processing data obtained through GIS applications. 
  • Given workflows for data collection and processing, identify the key personnel resources needed to carry out each workflow task.

Topics:

  • Data Collection Workflows
  • Data Processing Workflows
  • Assigning Capital and Human Resources to GIS Asset Management Workflows

Week 5: Testing and Implementing Data Collection and Processing Workflows

Learning Outcomes:

  • Develop a general schedule to conduct field beta-­test.
  • Identify six common occurrences of corner cases within data collection tasks.
  • Determine the three key tasks that require refinement based on field tests.

Topics:

  • Developing Field Tests for Data Workflows
  • Incorporating Edge and Corner Cases within Field Tests
  • Adjusting Workflows Based on Field Test Results

Week 6: Training Personnel and Assigning Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes:

  • Describe the 5 key steps to develop an implementation plan.
  • Develop a training outline for data collection tasks.
  • Develop a training outline for data processing tasks. 

Topics:

  • Developing and Implementation Plan
  • Training Schemes for Data Collection Tasks
  • Training Schemes for Data Processing Tasks

Week 7: Collecting GIS Data

Learning Outcomes:

  • Recognize the difference between Raster and Vector data without error.
  • Identify the difference between primary and secondary GIS data.
  • Identify at least two common opportunities to collect GIS data within day-to-day asset management operations.

Topics:

  • Primary and Secondary Sources for GIS Data
  • Capturing Raster and Vector GIS Data
  • Opportunities for Collecting GIS Data

Week 8: GIS Data Accuracy and Precision

Learning Outcomes:

  • Determine the statistical difference between accuracy and precision.
  • Given a specific Asset Management activity determine the required precision and accuracy for GIS Data.
  • Identify the four principal measures to assess the spatial quality of GIS data.

Topics:

  • GIS Data Accuracy and Precision
  • Asset Management Specifications for GIS Data Accuracy and Precision
  • Measuring the Spatial Quality of GIS Data

Week 9: Developing GIS Data Catalogs

Learning Outcomes:

  • List the three main geometrical classifications of GIS data without error. 
  • Recognize the five main types of attributes of GIS data.
  • Identify which type of GIS Data is the most suited to represent terrain elevations.

Topics:

  • Classifications of GIS Data Types
  • Attributes of GIS Data
  • Modeling Real World Conditions

Week 10: Processing GIS Data

Learning Outcomes:

  • Describe correctly at least one process for improving the positional accuracy of field data.
  • Name the four steps used to reconcile field data with field comments.
  • Identify at least two methods to spatially compare data.

Topics:

  • Positional Adjustment of Field Data
  • Review of Field Data Comments
  • Addressing Field Data Overlaps

Week 11: Managing Data Collection and Processing Workflows

Learning Outcomes:

  • Describe the difference between direct and indirect processes without error. 
  • Recognize the three key differences between In­House personnel and outside consultants.
  • Develop an operating budget to support a GIS Program for infrastructure asset management. 

Topics:

  • Managing GIS Data Through Direct and Indirect Processes
  • GIS Asset Management Using In­House Personnel and Outside Consultants 
  • Financial Management of GIS Programs within Infrastructure Management Applications

Week 12: Maintaining GIS Databases

Learning Outcomes:

  • Given a data set, determine the appropriate GIS Data Catalog to be used to store the data.
  • Define two common processes to maintain GIS Data through continuous and intermittent operations.
  • Apply at least two best management practices to develop a work plan for new GIS projects.

Topics:

  • GIS Databases and GIS Data
  • Maintaining the GIS Database
  • Creating Work Plans for New GIS Projects

This course outline is subject to change.

If you are not currently logged into ASCE, you will be asked to login or create an ASCE account.