The Best Practices Workgroup submitted the full document to the GIS Technical Committee for approval in June 2002. The document was approved on August 30, 2002.
The objective of the Best Practices Work Group was to identify and develop GIS best practices to 1) improve communication within the KCGIS community; 2) tighten data procedures and requirements; and 3) coordinate changes to hardware, software and applications.
Best Practice can be defined as; a high-performance way of achieving business goals and objectives that solves problems creates opportunities, and improves business results. For a Best Practice (BP) to be effective it must allow for the easy transfer of ideas, knowledge, and standards. Best Practices must also be flexible and adaptable to change as business needs and technology change.
The coordinated King County Geographic Information System (GIS) program "Best Practices" document provides practical guides as well as background documentation and data that support the recommendations and standards as prescribed by the Best Practices Work Group of the King County GIS Technical Committee.
This document is intended to be a living framework reflecting changes in data, software, hardware, and communication that affect all GIS users in King County government.
This document will use the following conventions and definitions with regards to GIS best practices within King County.
Definition: the problem or issue
Goal: the desired outcome of adhering to the best practice
Best Practices: the set of policy or guidelines that should be followed
Limitation: (when it occurs) Exception to the best practice.
Introduction [from the document]