The cost effective implementation of integrated spatial management information systems in local government

• Main Author: Elema, Nico M.
• Other Authors: Fourie, L. C. H.
• Language: en_ZA
• Published: Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University 2012
• Subjects: Management information systems > Cost effectiveness; Public administration > Data processing; Dissertations > Business management; Theses > Business management
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/20751

Thesis (MBA) -- Stellenbosch University, 2006. === ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Management within Local Government are increasingly required to report on the various spatially related projects and initiatives within their jurisdiction. As Information Technology develops, various electronic systems are implemented within the organisations, not only assist in the reporting. but also to fulfil the data requirements in relation to maintenance, capturing and storing of data. In order to fully adhere to the reporting needs, systems are also increasingly required to integrate, and in so doing, provide access to more data in the organisation. But as the reporting requirements are often clear, the cost in implementing the required systems elude implementers. One of the reasons for costs being unclear stems from a need for integrated systems to help implementers to understand the cost factors which drive costs, and in so doing, enabling them to manage costs incurred in projects better. By means of a literature review, the spatial information needs within Local Governments are investigated, fol1owed by the investigation of solutions to address the spatial needs. As a solution, an Integrated Spatial Management Information System (ISMlS) is discussed. Seven primary cost fac tors are identified and discussed to assist in the better understanding of the relevant cost factors. These cost factors include data, software, hardware, training requirements, customisation, maintenance and time constraints. Each cost factor is discussed in detail, and the potential impact it might have on the total cost of a project investigated. A method measuring the success of a project is also discussed, whereby the total cost 10 implementing an ISMlS is related to the number of active users as expressed in cost-per-seat. The relationship between the different types of users within a local municipality, their function and the impact the cost factors can have on the use and cost-per-seat calculation are also discussed. To illustrate the impact, three different scenarios are discussed. each with variable cost factors. It is found. that the management of cost factors can greatly increase the use of a system, and thereby make the implementation of the system more cost .. effective. Finally the concept of cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is also discussed, providing a concept whereby the costs can be measured against benefits, where the aim is to implement an ISMIS where the benefits outweigh the costs. === AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: DaaT word al hoe meer van die bestuur in pJaaslike owerhede verlang. om verslag te lewer oor verskeie ruimtelike projekte en inisiatiewe in hul owerheidsgebied. Met die ontwikkeling van Informasie Tegnologie word verskeie clcktroniese stelsels ge-implementeer om nie net aan die versJaggewingbehoeftes te voldoen nie, maar oak die instandhouding. datavaslegging en stoor van data te ondersteun. Om ten volle aan die verslagewingbehocftes te lean voldoen, word daar ook al hoe meer van stelsels verlang om te integreer, om sodoende toegang tot meer datastelle in die organisasie te gee. Maar terwyl die versJaggewingbehoeftes gewoonlik duidelik is, is die kostcs om relevante stelsels te integreer gewoonlik onduidelik. 'n Rede waarom kostcs onduidelik mag wees, spruit uit die behoefte vir implimenteerders van gelntegreerde stelsels am faktore wat kostes dryf te begryp, en sodoende kostes beter te lean bestuur. Deur middel van 'n literatuurstudie is die ruirntelike behoeftes binne plaaslike regenng ondersoek, gevolg deur 'n ondersoek na moontlike oplossings om die ruimtelike behoeftes aan tc spreek. As 'n opiossmg, word 'n Gclntegreerde Ruimtelike Bestuursinligting Stelsel (GRBS) bespreek. Sewe primere kostefaktore word geldentifiseer en bespreek om 'n beter begrip te ontwikkel van die relevante kostefaktore. Hierdie kostefaktore sluit data, prograrnmatuur, apparatuur, opleidingsbehoeftes, doelgemaakte programmatuur, instandhouding en tydsbepcrkings in. Elke kostefaktor word in detail bespreek, en die potensiele impak wat dit op die totale koste van 'n projek mag he, word ondcrsoek. 'n Metode om die sukses van 'n projek te meet, word ook bespreek, waarvolgens die totale koste om 'n GRBS te implementeer gemeet word teen die totale aantal aktiewe gebruikcrs van die stelsel, soos uitgedruk in koste-per-gebruiker. Die verwantskap tussen die verskillende gcbruikers in 'n plaaslike munisipaliteit, hul funksics en die irnpak wat die kostefaktore kan he op die gebruik en koste-per-gebruiker-berekening word oak bespreek. Om die impak te illustrcer, word drie verskillende voorbeelde bespreek, elk met veranderende kostefaktore. Daar is gevind dat die bestuur van kostefaktore die gebruik van die stelsel grootliks laat toeneem, wat sodoende die implementering van die GRBS meeT koste effektief maak. Laastens word "koste-voordeel analise" as konsep bespreek, waarby koste teenoor voordeel gemeet kao word, om sodoende '0 GRBS te ontwikkel waar die voordele die kostes cortref.