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Episode 3: Specialist Map Development
Accomplishing the mission of KYF2 initiative required an innovative,
powerful technology solution. The solution required data integration from multiple USDA and federal agencies with varying content format, file structures, and quality. It also needed to support complex geospatial analysis to identify cross-agency synergies and gaps. Most importantly the solution had to present the integrated data and analysis results in the form of an easy-to-use, map-driven web application, accessible by USDA staff from multiple agencies and the general public.
KYF2 Compass Map is designed to break down barriers between federal agency databases and other public datasets. It combines the data in a seamless, innovative cloud database and map-driven web application. The solution enables agencies to effectively share GIS resources, coordinate efforts, and share the results with the public. This unique solution
empowers the public to take further action by getting involved with USDA-sponsored programs and improving their own regional and local food systems.
The web map application uses the ArcGIS 10.1 platform to deliver a
customized JavaScript application that provides the public with a powerful yet easy to use mapping interface for exploring information on
USDA-funded programs, food hubs, farmers markets, hoop houses, meat inspection facilities, and much more. The KYF2 Compass map not only assimilates what was once disparate information, it also provides powerful local search capabilities to help users easily understand the data. Farmers and ranchers can locate USDA resources, consumers can find local farmers markets, and the general public can learn about the importance of
strengthening local and regional food systems. The application was
developed with public outreach and support as a priority and was designed
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from the ground up to inform the public of how USDA helps strengthen local and regional food systems.
USDA and its business partners worked as an integrated team to help optimize the delivery of the KYF2 application. Despite aggressive
schedules, as well as complications such as browser incompatibility, CPU processing speed, and geometry challenges, all planned launches occurred on time. The KYF2 application also took advantage of Managed Services on the Amazon Cloud to host the map services and database underlying the KYF Compass Map during both the staging and production phases.
The specialist map development consisted of seven core functions: creating static and dynamic maps to suit stakeholder segment needs; developing a reusable set of KYF icons that establish the USDA brand image; consuming web map and feature services from both internal and external provisioning sources; representing infrastructure available for local and regional food systems market stakeholders; and integrating with social media channels and tools. However, agility in the uses of the map visualization solution was necessary. As a contractor pointed out to counter the traditional demands for a rigorous project plan, “Trying to make things too organized takes some of the creativity away from it [value proposition].” Citizen feedback and involvement in the organic growth of local and regional food systems was a desired input to incrementally evolving the browser-based user interface and data display.
The KYF2 map views are composed of three phases: static web map
services views, dynamic web map application functionality, and collective web mapping service and social media data exchange. Figure 4.3 provides a high-level model of the concept development, followed by Table 4.3, which displays the basic attributes of each phase of development.
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Figure 4.3: Model of KYF2 Web Map Functional Development
Table 4.3: KYF2 Map Development Attributes
Static Map View Dynamic Map View Collective Map View
• Unchanging data
• Rigid map functions
• Single base map and layer geography views
• All push, no pull
• Data updates
• Map function selection
• Multiple base maps and layers
• User pull selection
• Matching content use patterns
• External data feeds
• Template functions
• Sourcing of all layers
• User push into USDA framework
• Self-empowered community
Supporting the Administration’s participatory governance agenda, the KYF2 solution enabled new user capabilities, which were not previously available to USDA stakeholders. These capabilities, or design principles, include the following:
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• See the conversation: Allow the stakeholders to tell the story from their perspective.
• Relinquish control: Let them organize the map information to avoid creating more noise than sense.
• Enable metadata: Leverage all sources to facilitate users’ ability to search on their terms and make connections to map information.
• Extend reach: Post map information extensively across various media, channels, environments, events, etc.
• Stop editing: Facilitate broad community input, minimal filters.
Whereas conventional maps frequently exclude community, the KYF2 initiative seeks to ensure a display of the mixed, diverse geographies needed to articulate a place. Often, highly unstructured data and dynamic networks constrain, limit, and increase access complexity to locate
government knowledge sources. The subsequent conditions create extensive equity issues around participation in mapping, and geospatial products are often constructed for those already in power. The solution, in contrast, provides a “way of opening a window into those things
(benefits)… looking at USDA from the perspective of a person versus an agency or program.” Appendix G offers example of KYF2 Meeting Notes.
The initial deliverable occurred in late February 2012 with a formal launch from the Obama White House. Complimenting this public forum, the USDA Secretary and the Deputy Secretary filmed an introductory studio video of the map function, which demonstrated how people move around on maps to locate information. This is the first live application presentation by either executive during the Administration. The video employed the metaphor of a “scavenger hunt” with the map and has been used in multiple settings since its original deployment.
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As a technology tool, the intended purpose of the map is simply the presentation of complex data sets. However, the map rapidly gained acceptance as a collective messaging device. The GIS specialists became adept at migrating the concepts and themes of the KYF2 narrative to the map viewer. Nevertheless, a question remained: How do we
institutionalize it for enterprise-wide leverage? The adage “If you build it they will come” did not quite adhere — even with 100,000 unique map users who are not casual drive-by users.
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Table 4.5 Specialist Map Development Process Observations
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