Issue link: https://resources.esri.ca/i/1313392
32 | GEOSPATIAL STRATEGY ESSENTIALS FOR MANAGERS MATTHEW LEWIN Chapter 6 How to Find Geospatial Opportunities Hiding in Your Business Viewing business needs through a geospatial lens I f there's an issue that nags at the geospatial industry, it's that spatial literacy is still quite low among those outside the geo-professions. Beyond locating a point of interest or finding the shortest route to somewhere, most people struggle to understand how geography and geospatial technology can be used to solve business problems. And this is a concern. That's because geography is so broadly applicable. Virtually any industry or business function can benefit from a better understanding of "where". But if those without advanced degrees in the geosciences continue to struggle with spatial thinking—then the value of geography and geospatial technology will languish. So imagine if there were a tool that could help— one that bridges the gap between business and geoscience. A simple, plain-language tool that can help anyone interpret business problems through the lens of geography and drive out innovative opportunities. In this chapter, I review such a tool—the geospatial lens—devised to make identifying geospatial opportunities easier and more accessible. The lens is presented below. The Geospatial Lens summarizes a set of common analysis patterns applicable to many business scenarios. DESCRIBE Characterize the situation DIAGNOSE Identify root cause PREDICT Forecast future conditions PRESCRIBE Suggest actions Recommend actions based on forecasted conditions at specific locations Forecast conditions or model scenarios at specific locations Determine why conditions occurred or changed at specific locations Map and compare conditions at specific locations Recommend actions based on forecasted conditions at specific locations Forecast how the size or shape of features or events might change Determine why features or events were a specific size or shape Map and compare the size or shape of features or events Location Position or site Scale Size or shape Geospatial Context Business Context