GIS Architects' Guild?


As a GIS architect, I am glad to see that the 'GIS architect' concept and title are getting traction. I just saw a posting for a Geographic Information Systems Enterprise Architect on the GIS Jobs Clearinghouse, for example.

Sponsored by ENTCHEV GIS Architects


Fifteen years ago I delivered many "What is GIS?" presentations. Today I do a lot of "What is a GIS Architect?". I look forward to not having to do any of them, just like a "real" architect does not have to explain what his/her profession is all about.

How about a GIS Architects' Guild? Anybody?

Posted by Atanas Entchev at 11/4/2008 5:42 PM
Categories: blog, Opinion, GIS, Jobs, Business, Architect, GIS architect
Tags: blog Opinion GIS Jobs Business Architect GIS architect
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  • 11/4/2008 6:20 PM John wrote:
    I'd support the creation of a guild if membership comes with a hooded cloak.

    Seriously, shouldn't such a guild be part of one of the established user groups, like URISA?
    1. 11/5/2008 9:41 AM atanas entchev wrote:
      "The Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA) is a nonprofit association of professionals using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other information technologies to solve challenges in state / provincial and local government agencies and departments."

      Straight from URISA's website, making it very clear that URISA's primary (if not only) focus is GIS in and for government.

      http://urisa.org/about

      Guilds, on the other hand, are small business associations.

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guild

      I think private GIS practitioners can benefit from a coordinated effort geared towards raising the awareness and stature of the private GIS professional. Highlighting the difference between internship and apprenticeship. And so on.
  • 11/5/2008 10:07 AM Ro wrote:
    OOh... So my job title officially exists elsewhere ... Thats good !
  • 11/5/2008 10:22 AM Andrew Turner wrote:
    Guilds are now known as "User Groups" or "Communities"

    Other groups already serve much the same purposes in this space - OSGeo for example, that has specific mandates, values, groups, and objectives.

    There is also NACIS for cartographers - However, I haven't run across one for general Geo- or GIS.
    1. 11/5/2008 12:55 PM atanas entchev wrote:
      Andrew:

      User groups are built around common interests, mostly technological and implementational. They facilitate the free exchange of information and know-how. Nothing wrong with that.

      What I'm talking about, however, is an entity that focuses on the commerce of GIS. No such entity presently exists, so far as I know.

      To call on the "real" architect analogy again -- the American Institute of Architects (AIA) regularly runs commercials on one of the top New York radio stations, and probably all across the country. The AIA is educating the public (even though the public knows what an architect does) about why they should hire an architect.

      We need something like that for GIS architects, so we won't have to explain over and over again why it makes sense to pay for GIS design.

      http://blog.entchev.com/2008/09/21/pay-for-gis-design--naah.aspx
  • 12/3/2008 9:06 AM karmi wrote:
    i have just graduated in architectural technology. south africa needs to be educated on GIS Architecture.. it's my first time hearing about this, as they do not offer it as a course of study here. wish i knew more... i am very interested.

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