Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/27856
From the stormwater projects, each student was assigned a sub-basin. Upon completing their area, the digitized infrastructure went through a rigorous quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) process. Students with greater experience on the projects reviewed each feature for accurate placement and attribution, using the hyperlink of the engineering plan or drawing that was identified and attributed as the primary source in the digitization process. Doing this saved enormous amounts of time, because reviewers didn’t have to review all the available documents in the area. Any errors found were listed in students’ personal Microsoft One-Note sessions for them to correct. An EditorID Esri ArcScript developed by Danny Krouk automati- cally recorded the name, date and time of edit, enabling CPGIS to associate a version (student) name with each edit. Having such information allowed CPGIS to readily identify who was making what errors, target specific help to minimize reoccurrences and determine the speed at which students work. The QA/QC continued with a review by the project managers and then the director. Checking In Interim feedback from the client is important on any project to ensure that all of the data are being captured in a usable form on the front end, avoiding the need to revisit data or incur unnecessary costs. Working with data that span 125 years of urban development makes it impossible to completely define every detail at the outset. Data schema, domain entries and attributes are consistently identified throughout the process as the project works its way through each region of the city and its respective history. The city of Memphis was able to review CPGIS’ prog- ress on the digitization effort and provide feedback by reviewing the QA/QC’d areas through a custom Web- based map built using Silverlight. “The Web site is great,” says Scott Morgan, envi- ronmental engineer for the city. “It provides real-time access to digitized information that can be used by city staff. It also gives city personnel time to review and comment on the data as it progresses as well as any suggestions for the functionality of the Web-based application. This allows CPGIS to make systemwide updates on the fly.” A Win-Win Situation Despite the fact that the city of Memphis is only in the second year of migrating its stormwater infrastructure and legacy data into a GIS, the advantages already are being realized. “The data that has been captured so far has been useful for many situations,” states Adams. “Within lA diagram illustrates CPGIS’ digitizing architecture, including versioning, using aerials and other imagery, and accessing engineering plans and drawings. There’s also a secure GIS Web site for clients to review project progress. these last two years, all parties have worked closely together to prioritize the areas to be captured first based on the most-important needs of the city. The city can now have easy access to this priority information, contributing greatly to projects that we are currently working on and addressing infrastructure problem areas. We now have enough data to incorporate into a mobile GIS application developed for our stormwater field personnel.” These benefits, however, aren’t exclusive to the city of Memphis. Using student workers throughout the project creates a more marketable graduate and prepares them to enter the workforce equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to tackle real- world challenges. By receiving hands-on experience, students understand how GIS is applied in a work environment as well as how it can be used to reduce costs and contribute to informed decision making. Future employers benefit by receiving students who understand the rationale behind versioning; realize the time-saving advantages of advanced editing functions such as subtypes, domains and topology; and have participated as part of a diverse team working to meet a client’s need. Brian Waldron is the director, Center for Partnerships in GIS, University of Memphis; e-mail: bwaldron@memphis.edu. M A R C H 2 O 1 1 / W W W . G E O P L A C E . C O M 27