Exploring the Esri Path to Geospatial Excellence through the wisdom of famous leaders. Part 1: The Business Pillar

"The Path to Geospatial Excellence" is a resource provided by Esri to help organizations maximize the impact of their GIS (Geographic Information System) programs. The website offers resources such as technical papers, success stories, and best practices to guide organizations in creating and implementing a successful geospatial strategy. The website is available here: https://www.esri.com/en-us/path-to-geospatial-excellence/overview

Associated with the Path to Geospatial Excellence is the Structured Framework which details key focus areas that are derived from the pillars of the Path to Geospatial Excellence. Anyone wanting to gain assurance of the success of their GIS capabilities would do well to consider each of these focus areas to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of their GIS operations.

I have been working with many organisations on utilizing this framework to assess their geospatial maturity, to identify challenge areas and opportunities, and to determine what their tactical and strategic actions should be. The Path to Geospatial Excellence and the Structured Framework are relatively new resources from Esri, and so this article is intended to help people to understand more about those resources.

As someone that has studied and read widely about management studies and strategic theory literature, I find quotes from leaders incredibly inspiring and insightful. I have a large personal collection of these types of quotes from many sources and and their wisdom and experiences often provide valuable perspectives that can be applied to GIS strategies and geospatial leadership, helping to shape innovative and effective approaches.

Management studies, strategic theory, investment appraisals and governance approaches are topics that many GIS professionals are not overly familiar with, so I hope that by referencing some quotes by famous leaders, scholars, and authors on these topics it will make understanding some of these concepts more interesting and more accessible to my GIS industry peers. Some of the quotes are surprising or humorous and intended to be entertaining as well as educational.

Please note: the following article is my own personal initiative and does not necessarily reflect the views of my employer nor Esri nor any other party. This article has not been endorsed by Esri but is intended to complement the Esri Path to Geospatial Excellence in strictly unofficial capacity, primarily driven out of my own personal interests.

Part 1: The Business Pillar

Quotes and concepts about strategy

Sun Tzu was an ancient Chinese military strategist and philosopher, best known for his influential work "The Art of War," which offers timeless advice on strategy, tactics, and leadership. Sun Tzu's quote emphasizes the importance of balancing both strategy and tactics. For GIS teams, this means that having a well-thought-out strategy without actionable steps (tactics) will lead to gradual but well-directed progress. Care needs to be taken that focusing solely on tactics without a clear strategy will result in disorganized efforts and potential failure. Effective GIS planning requires a cohesive strategy to guide the overall direction and specific tactics to implement the plan successfully.

Lewis Carroll was an English writer, mathematician, and logician, best known for his classic children's book "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland". Lewis Carroll's quote from that book, "If you don’t know where you’re going any road will do," highlights the necessity of having a clear goal or direction. In relation to Sun Tzu's quote about strategy and tactics, it underscores the importance of strategic thinking. Without a defined strategic objective, any actions taken (tactics) may lead to aimless wandering and inefficiency. For GIS teams, this means that having a clear vision and strategic plan is crucial to ensure that all efforts are aligned and purposeful, ultimately leading to successful outcomes.

Dr. Sylvia Lafair is a change management expert, executive coach, and the founder of Creative Energy Options, known for her work in leadership development and her award-winning book "Don't Bring It to Work". Her quote, "Strategy is a compass, not a map," emphasizes that strategy provides direction and guidance rather than a detailed step-by-step plan.

Vladimir Lenin was a Russian revolutionary leader, political theorist, and the founder of the Soviet Union, who played a key role in the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. From a strategic planning perspective, Vladimir Lenin's quote, "There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen," underscores the importance of being prepared for rapid and significant changes. It highlights that while long periods may seem uneventful, critical moments can bring about transformative shifts. Just think of the early stages of the Covid pandemic for one example. For GIS teams, this means that strategic plans must be flexible and adaptable, ready to respond swiftly to sudden opportunities or challenges that can dramatically alter the landscape.

Quotes and concepts about executive sponsorship

Mark A. Langley is a former President and CEO of the Project Management Institute (PMI), known for his leadership in advancing the profession of project management globally. His quote emphasizes that having an active and engaged executive sponsor is crucial for the success of projects and programs. In the context of GIS, this means that executive sponsors provide essential support, resources, and strategic alignment, ensuring that GIS initiatives receive the necessary attention and backing to achieve their goals. Their involvement helps to overcome obstacles, secure funding, and maintain focus on the project's objectives, ultimately driving successful outcomes.

Lynne Doughtie is a former U.S. Chairman and CEO of KPMG, she has extensive experience in accounting, risk management, and executive leadership. This quote highlights the importance of sponsorship in fostering a supportive and empowering organizational culture. For GIS teams, this means that having leaders who actively sponsor and advocate for GIS initiatives or in support of GIS managers and personnel.

Quotes and concepts about Investment and ROI

F. Donaldson Brown was an American financial executive and corporate director with DuPont and General Motors, known for developing the DuPont analysis, a widely used financial performance framework which paved the way for the practice of Return on Investment analysis (ROI). ROI in GIS because it breaks down return on equity into components like revenue, asset cost, and personnel costs, allowing GIS managers to identify strengths and weaknesses, optimize resource use, and improve overall financial performance.

Quotes and concepts about Values and Alignment

Elvis Presley was an iconic American singer and actor, often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll," who revolutionized the music industry with his unique style and charismatic performances. This quote** highlights the unique and pervasive nature of personal and corporate values. For organizations, this means that their core values should be clearly defined and consistently reflected in all actions, decisions, and interactions. Aligning with corporate values ensures that every aspect of the organization, from strategic planning to daily operations, embodies these principles, fostering a cohesive and authentic corporate culture.

Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist, and political ethicist who led India's nonviolent independence movement against British rule and inspired civil rights movements worldwide. Mahatma Gandhi's quote emphasizes the profound impact of beliefs on shaping an individual's or organization's destiny. For organizations, this means that core beliefs influence thoughts, which in turn shape communication, actions, and habits. These habits solidify into values that define the organization's culture and ultimately determine its success and legacy. Aligning organizational values with core beliefs ensures consistency, integrity, and a strong foundation for achieving long-term goals.

John Wooden was a legendary American basketball coach, best known for his tenure at UCLA, where he led the team to ten NCAA national championships, earning a reputation for his leadership and emphasis on character development. John Wooden's quote, "Good values are like a magnet – they attract good people," highlights the importance of strong organizational values in attracting and retaining talented individuals. For organizations, this means that by upholding and promoting positive values, they can create an environment that draws in like-minded, dedicated, and high-performing individuals. This alignment between personal and organizational values fosters a cohesive, motivated, and productive workforce, ultimately contributing to the organization's success.

Quotes and concepts about Initiative Prioritization

David F. Jakielo is a management theorist and consultant known for his expertise in healthcare management, business turnarounds, and leadership development. For GIS teams, this quote relates to identifying and focusing on the most impactful initiatives that align with strategic goals. By understanding and prioritizing key tasks and projects, GIS teams can allocate resources effectively, avoid distractions, and ensure that their efforts contribute significantly to the organization's success.

Stephen Covey was an American educator, author, and businessman, best known for his influential book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," which provides a framework for personal and professional effectiveness. His quote here emphasizes the importance of intentional planning. For GIS teams, this means that instead of merely reacting to tasks as they come up, they should proactively identify and schedule their most important initiatives. By focusing on what truly matters and aligning their efforts with strategic goals, GIS teams can ensure that their work is impactful and aligned with the organization's long-term vision.

Albert Einstein was a renowned theoretical physicist best known for developing the theory of relativity, which revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and energy. The KISS Principle, which stands for "Keep It Simple, Stupid," advocates for simplicity in design and decision-making, avoiding unnecessary complexity. This relates to Albert Einstein's quote, "Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler," by emphasizing the importance of simplifying processes and solutions to their essential elements without oversimplifying to the point of losing functionality or effectiveness. For GIS teams, this means creating straightforward, efficient strategies and systems that are easy to understand and implement, while still meeting all necessary requirements.

Michael Porter is an economist, researcher, and professor at Harvard Business School, renowned for his work on competitive business strategy. Michael Porter's quote highlights the importance of strategic decision-making for GIS teams relating to initiative prioritization:

1. Making Choices: Select the most impactful projects.

2. Trade-offs: Understand and accept the necessary trade-offs.

3. Being Different: Focus on initiatives that leverage unique strengths and set the team apart.

Porter also stated another related quote "The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do."

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe was an architect renowned for pioneering modern architecture and the International Style, famously advocating the principle "less is more". The maxim "less is more" has become a famous saying that is used in many contexts, including ensuring that by prioritizing and focusing on the most important projects they are more likely to be successful.

Quotes and concepts about having a Solution Portfolio

A GIS solution portfolio, (using the related ITIL definition of a service portfolio), is a comprehensive collection of all GIS-related services managed by an organization throughout their entire lifecycle. This includes:

1. Service Pipeline: Proposed or in-development GIS services.

2. Service Catalog: Active GIS services available for use.

3. Retired Services: GIS services that are no longer in use.

The GIS solution portfolio helps manage and align GIS services with business objectives, ensuring they are effectively planned, delivered, and evaluated.

Mark Cuban is an American billionaire entrepreneur, investor, and television personality, best known for owning the Dallas Mavericks NBA team and being a prominent "shark" on the TV show Shark Tank. His quote about Core Competencies is relevant to GIS teams because it is indicating that GIS teams should identify and excel in their key strengths, such as spatial analysis or data visualization, ensuring they deliver top-notch solutions in these areas, and listing those solutions in a portfolio that is made available to their end-users.

** Note that there is some dispute over the source of a handful of these quotes, and some where the quote may be similar to earlier writings, or where there are discrepancies in translations from other languages etc. For the purposes of this article I have not gone to great lengths to assess the voracity of all of the quotes if they have been widely attributed as that is not the focus of the intent with this exercise.

Part 2 of this series looks at the GIS Governance Pillar and is available here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/exploring-esri-path-geospatial-excellence-through-part-heazlewood-xphqc/

Other resources to consider include:

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/exploring-path-geospatial-excellence-nathan-heazlewood-lchfc/

https://www.esri.com/en-us/path-to-geospatial-excellence/overview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbBb5_WJMIU

https://www.esri.com/about/newsroom/arcuser/build-a-strong-geospatial-foundation-for-your-organization/

Image Sources:

Elvis Presley. (n.d.). AZQuotes.com. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from AZQuotes.com Web site: https://www.azquotes.com/quote/372226

Mahatma Gandhi. (n.d.). AZQuotes.com. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from AZQuotes.com Web site: https://www.azquotes.com/quote/357446

John Wooden. (n.d.). AZQuotes.com. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from AZQuotes.com Web site: https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1088864

Michael Porter. (n.d.). AZQuotes.com. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from AZQuotes.com Web site: https://www.azquotes.com/quote/234635

Mark Cuban. (n.d.). AZQuotes.com. Retrieved February 23, 2025, from AZQuotes.com Web site: https://www.azquotes.com/quote/710140