Warning Signs of a Bad Geospatial Applications Consultant

Geospatial mapping is essential to understanding where data fits in the demographics of a business's infrastructure. Geospatial solutions can highlight relationships and causation that might not otherwise be obvious. It's a critical component in deciding the direction of a company,. The quality of geospatial services can vary according to quality of the consultant. Watch out for these warning signs when choosing a consultant for your geospatial applications.

Beware of “Full Service” Offers

When a geospatial applications company advertizes “full service,” make sure to clarify what this really means. Find out their exact areas of specialties and exactly what their experience covers. Remember to read the fine print whenever you see “full service” claims made.

Beware of Form Over Substance

Some geospatial solutions are all form and no substance. Look at your analysis and strategic plans and see what good they are actually doing you. Some geospatial professionals will order unnecessary cost benefit analyses, needs assessments and other useless reports just to have something to bill you for that month. Make sure you understand why a report is being done and what the information can do for your company. Get the most out of your geospatial investment by analyzing data you actually use.

Beware of Outsourced Companies

When you hiring a geospatial applications company, it's the consultant that works on one one with you. It's an important relationship, one that must click. With your average outsourced company, you'll have 3 or 4 consultants rotating on or off a project with no continuity. They don't know your company or what they are dealing with. The connection you build with your geospatial company is an important component of the relationship. Don't hire outsourced substitutes.

Watch for Scare Tactics

A common strategy of some geospatial consulting firms uses fear to justify unneeded studies and analysis. The fear of the unknown helps to keep you hooked on their services. They'll say they've seen a pattern, but need to learn more about it. While further study is sometimes necessary, watch out for studies that are only done out of a fear of the unknown. Again, ask yourself the real value behind the data and what it can do for your company.

Watch for the Slanted Scope

Nothing causes a geospatial project to hit disaster faster than a slanted scope. A geospatial applications project starts out at a certain budget, but slowly grows into a monster of its own, based on some unexplained need to learn more information. While some projects will need adjustment based on the knowledge uncovered, don't let your consulting company create more studies just for the sake of a buck. Get geospatial solutions that provide real data that's essential to your company operations.

About the Author:

Geoff Scalarone is the author of this article on Geospatial Solutions. Find more information about Geospatial Applications here.