Professional practice encompasses a rich and multifaceted notion that remains elusive for many practitioners, researchers, policy makers, and administrators. However, dimensions of it include:

Diverse Understandings:

  • Practice is a complex concept, often underestimated by researchers who view it from narrow perspectives.
  • It involves both individual and extra-individual features.
  • Theoretical density surrounds a “practice”, making it challenging to fully grasp.

Professional Practice:

  • Professional practice specifically refers to the actions and behaviors of individuals within their work context, often referred to as “Standards of Practice.”
  • It extends beyond mere technical skills and includes ethical conduct, decision-making, and interactions with others.
  • Professionals apply their knowledge and expertise to real-world situations.

Extra-Individual Features:

  • Practice is not solely about individual practitioners; it also involves broader elements.
  • These features include organizational structures, cultural norms, historical context, and societal expectations.
  • Understanding practice requires considering these external influences.

Context Matters:

  • Professional practice varies across domains (e.g., education, healthcare, engineering, design).
  • It adapts to specific contexts, such as legal, ethical, and cultural frameworks.
  • Effective professional practice aligns with the values and norms of the profession.

In summary, professional practice goes beyond technical competence, encompassing ethical behavior, contextual awareness, and the interplay of individual and collective factors.

UNDERSTANDING OF APPROPRIATE INTERPRETATION OF WORK-RELATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Each organization has different policies and procedures for editing, storing, and archiving data, and those policies should be understood and followed. They are essential guidelines within an organization that shape how employees conduct themselves and interact with their work environment. These documents not only set expectations but also reflect the organization’s values and professionalism.

KEY CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGY

  • Policies:
    • Policies are overarching principles that outline the organization’s approach to specific issues.
    • They connect the organization’s vision, values, and day-to-day operations.
    • For instance, a policy might address workplace conduct, anti-discrimination, or data security.
  • Procedures:
    • Procedures provide specific action plans for implementing policies.
    • They guide employees on how to handle various situations.
    • For example, a procedure might detail steps for reporting incidents, requesting time off, or handling customer complaints1.
  • Importance:
    • Clear policies and procedures enhance workplace efficiency and culture.
    • They prevent trial-and-error decision-making and micromanagement.
    • Well-documented guidelines save time, reduce stress, and ensure compliance with regulations.

SAMPLE QUESTION

Which of the following best describes the significance of workplace policies and procedures?

A) A bureaucratic burden that hinders employee creativity.

B) A set of rigid rules that restrict employee autonomy.

C) Essential guidelines that ensure consistent operations, compliance with laws, and efficient resource utilization.

D) Optional suggestions for employees to follow.

Answer: C) Essential guidelines that ensure consistent operations, compliance with laws, and efficient resource utilization.

Explanation: Workplace policies and procedures provide a roadmap for day-to-day operations. They maintain consistency, enhance service quality, and create a safer workplace. Compliance with policies benefits both employees and the organization as a whole.

KNOWLEDGE OF MANAGING, DOCUMENTING, AND COMMUNICATING GIS WORK

Managing, documenting, and communicating GIS work involves a systematic approach to ensure efficiency, accuracy, and effective collaboration. Effective management, documentation, and communication enhance GIS strategies, programs and project outcomes and facilitate collaboration across teams.

KEY CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGY

  • GIS Strategic Plan:
    • Purpose and Vision:
      • Clearly define the purpose of the GIS program within the organization.
      • Establish a vision for how GIS will contribute to overall success.
    • Goals and Objectives:
      • Identify specific goals related to geospatial technology.
      • Set measurable objectives that align with organizational priorities.
    • Scope and Priorities:
      • Determine the scope of GIS activities (e.g., data management, analysis, visualization).
      • Prioritize initiatives based on their impact and feasibility.
  • Critical Path: The longest path through a project or to a defined milestone. The critical path is made up of a set of related linked tasks that lead to the conclusion of the project or milestone.
  • Gantt Chart: One view of a project plan or status report in which horizontally arranged linear bars depict start and end points of project tasks.
  • GIS Program: An ongoing effort or initiative established by an organization using GIS&T to support its mission and business requirements.
  • Data Governance: a systematic approach that ensures the availability, quality, security, and proper utilization of an organization’s data.
  • GIS Project: A temporary endeavor undertaken using GIS&T to create a unique product or service.
  • Pilot Project: A planned, limited activity that includes many attributes of a full project, which is designed as a demonstration or a trial of a project scope, specifications, or methodology. The pilot project is undertaken to answer questions and provide an opportunity to adjust the plan and specifications before proceeding with the full project.
  • Process Group: Related and mutually supporting sets of activities that help ensure a successful project. Defined by the Project Management Institute as an overall structure for project planning and management.
  • Project Charter: A document that officially authorizes a project, and it includes statements of project objectives, participation, and approval and commitment of resources by managers of stakeholder departments.
  • Project Management: The application of knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques to project activities to meet requirements.
  • Project Manager: An individual who has formal responsibility for directing and executing a project, its team and stakeholders, and the project deliverables and results.
  • Project Management Knowledge Areas: A framework that addresses critical concerns and practices that must be considered in project planning and execution.
  • Project Portfolio Management: A management approach based on a set of practices that view multiple projects as being interrelated and contributing together to overall program and organizational goals.
  • Resources: Tangible commodities that enable project work to be carried out. Resources include people, money, equipment, materials, and the organizations that are the sources of these commodities.
  • Stakeholder: Individuals, groups, or organizational entities that have some interest, participation, or role in a project or program, or which may be affected by its development and operation.
  • Task Predecessor: A defined attribute of a task that indicates the timing relationship of the task with another task. Also referred to as task “linkages,” predecessors describe how the timing of one task is influenced by or related to another.
  • Work Breakdown Structure (WBS): A hierarchical format for presenting tasks in a project

SAMPLE QUESTION

Which of the following best describes the importance of documenting and communicating GIS work within an organization?

A) It’s an optional step that doesn’t significantly impact project outcomes.

B) Proper documentation ensures that only technical staff can understand the work.

C) Clear documentation facilitates knowledge sharing, collaboration, and project continuity.

D) Communication about GIS work is limited to internal team members only.

Answer: C) Clear documentation facilitates knowledge sharing, collaboration, and project continuity.

Explanation: Documenting GIS work ensures that processes, data, and decisions are well-documented for future reference. Effective communication about GIS work extends beyond the team, benefiting stakeholders and organizational learning. Proper documentation and communication enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and promote best practices.

AWARENESS OF HOW GIS IS USED ACROSS OTHER PROFESSIONS

While GIS skills and jobs vary between subject matter areas, professions, companies, and industries, they also overlap in many significant ways. As a GIS professional it is important to maintain an awareness of how GIS is employed across various domains to continue broadening and deepening your knowledge and skills.

KEY CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGY

  • Read other LinkedIn profiles to get a sense of what skills others have in GIS.
  • Make new connections in LinkedIn to expand your network of peers and colleagues.
  • Attend conferences and webinars.
  • Join a local group and discuss with other GIS professionals what tools they use and what kind of work they perform. E. Make time to monitor and read blogs and social networking post from other GIS Professionals.

AWARENESS OF GIS-RELATED PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND CERTIFICATION