Utilities Engineering & GISHow to Make Your Stars Align

Wellington Enterprise GIS• GIS Division within IT• Esri Enterprise Agreement (EA)• Esri Local Government Model• ArcGIS Online

• Web Apps, Dashboards, Story Maps• Mobile GIS

• Collector, Survey123, Workforce

Problem• Utility “GIS” was converted from

MicroStation• Utility Department changes• Communication and knowledge

disconnects• Workload vs. Staff• Data accuracy was unknown• Field Team did not have access to GIS

Solution• Staff changes • Value of GIS became top priority• GIS participates in Utilities projects• GIS Data Deliverable Standards• GIS & Utility knowledge is shared• Utility Field Staff empowered to manage GIS

Mission & ObjectivesMission:

• Develop “best-in-class” Utility GIS with limited resources from a very low base

Objectives: 1. Operational management2. Enterprise level strategic planning

and decision making

Set PrioritiesEstablish vision:

• All-digital, technology-centric Department for Operations, Planning & Decision Making

Narrow the scope:• Focus on 4 priority systems: Water,

Wastewater, Raw Water & Reuse Water• Quick first pass

• NO MANHOLE INVERTS

Goals & Implementation• Quality and usability of data• Limited funds & resources• Utility GIS Dept organization• Build in small successes Valve Treasure Hunt

• “Field First” approach Empowering Field Personnel

“Field First”Developing a Useful Utility GIS

Field Staff(CUSTOMER)

GIS Professionals(FACILITATOR)

Management(ENABLER)

Utility Engineers(DESIGNER)

* Treat field staff as

Customer

Field Staff Participation

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Dec '17 Jan '18 Feb '18 March '18 April '18 May '18 June '18 July '18 Aug 20 '18

View

s per

Day

Month

Field Atlas Usage Per Month

Results (6 Months)• 35% of entire water system complete est. 4,000 valves

• 20% of sanitary system complete

• Built As-Built Tracker Completed Lift Station data tables with As-

Builts

• Built Lift Station CIP Tracker 106 Lift Stations

Implementation Plan• Engineering First Principles• Reviewed Existing Data• Met Staff• Determined Priority Objectives• Develop / Implement / Work Plan• Implement quickly

Field Staff • Local Knowledge• Field Points vs GPS• Field staff vs consultants• Build specific useful tools• Piggyback existing workflows

Engineering / Management• Debunk GIS Myths• Does not replace Eng. know how • Accuracy vs. usefulness• Comprehensive vs. detailed• Staff time vs. efficiency• Build management tools• Central Coordination Point

GIS Department• GIS Department invited FTC• Allow department to manage

content• Focus on IT – Security, storage,

backups• Facilitate dynamic communication• Ensures usefulness• Coordinate updates

Human Element• This is not a story of data development

• This is a story of staff development

• We gained a level of trust and work hard to keep it

Field First ApproachAll Field Crew in charge of data collection & validation.

Technology To the Field• Deploy new hardware & softwareiPadsArcGIS Collector

• TrainingUtility GIS TechnicianField Staff

Make It Fun• Valve Collection Competition 7 Zones 7 Teams Progress Dashboard 1,384 Field Points collected Field Staff using iPads daily

Field Needs• Accurate data• Data on demand • Convenience • Resources :

“Field First”Developing a Useful Utility GIS

Field Staff(CUSTOMER)

GIS Professionals(FACILITATOR)

Management(ENABLER)

Utility Engineers(DESIGNER)

* Treat field staff as

Customer

Thank you!Nicole McPherson, GISP

GIS Manager

Village of Wellington

Luis RiveraUtilities GIS

Village of Wellington

Bradley C. Wolak, P.E., PMPAssistant Utilities Director

Village of Wellington

James Barton P.E.President

Florida Technical Consultants