How do mapping programs work

Contents Purpose of process mapping Understanding processes Benefits of process mapping Types of process mapping Process mapping symbols Business process mapping How to create a process map. Create a process map. Purpose of process mapping The purpose of process mapping is for organizations and businesses to improve efficiency. Understanding processes One of the purposes of process mapping is to gain better understanding of a process. Benefits of process mapping Process mapping spotlights waste, streamlines work processes and builds understanding.

Flowcharts and process maps are used to: Increase understanding of a process Analyze how a process could be improved Show others how a process is done Improve communication between individuals engaged in the same process Provide process documentation Plan projects Process maps can save time and simplify projects because they: Create and speed up the project design Provide effective visual communication of ideas, information and data Help with problem solving and decision making Identify problems and possible solutions Can be built quickly and economically Show processes broken down into steps and use symbols that are easy to follow Show detailed connections and sequences Show an entire process from the beginning to the end Process maps help you to understand the important characteristics of a process, allowing you to produce helpful data to use in problem solving.

Types of process mapping Process mapping is about communicating your process to others. Basic symbols are used in a process map to describe key process elements. Each process element is represented by a specific symbol such as an arrow, circle, diamond, box, oval or rectangle.

These symbols come from the Unified Modeling Language or UML , which is an international standard for drawing process maps. Business process mapping In business, a process is a group of interrelated tasks that happen as a result of an event. How to create a process map Process mapping has become streamlined because of software that provides a better understanding of processes.

Step 1: Identify the problem What is the process that needs to be visualized? Type its title at the top of the document. Decide what level of detail to include. Determine who does what and when it is done. Step 3: Figure out boundaries Where or when does the process start? Where or when does the process stop? You can show either the general flow or every detailed action or decision.

Step 5: Draw basic flowchart symbols Each element in a process map is represented by a specific flowchart symbol. Ovals show the beginning of a process or the stopping of a process.

Rectangles show an operation or activity that needs to be done. Arrows represent the flow of direction. Diamonds show a point where a decision must be made. Arrows coming out of a diamond are usually labeled yes or no. Only one arrow comes out of an activity box. If more than is needed, you should probably use a decision diamond.

A parallelogram shows inputs or outputs. GIS maps are easily shared and embedded in apps, and accessible by virtually everyone, everywhere. Data GIS integrates many different kinds of data layers using spatial location. Most data has a geographic component. GIS data includes imagery, features, and basemaps linked to spreadsheets and tables.

Analysis Spatial analysis lets you evaluate suitability and capability, estimate and predict, interpret and understand, and much more, lending new perspectives to your insight and decision-making.

Apps Apps provide focused user experiences for getting work done and bringing GIS to life for everyone. GIS apps work virtually everywhere: on your mobile phones, tablets, in web browsers, and on desktops. Who Uses GIS? Public Safety. Real Estate. Electric and Gas Utilities. Natural Resources.

Learn more. Instead of driving around and hoping you'll eventually find a parking spot, use Google Maps to point you in the right direction. You'll see a P icon next to the estimated time it'll take to get to that location. Tap the P for parking. If P is red, it means parking will be limited. Blue means finding parking will be easy or moderately challenging.

A list of parking areas will appear. Select one of the options and tap Add parking. The parking spot will be added as the first stop on your route and you can continue on to your next destination.

Pictures can be deceiving, so before you book a hotel that looks nice, check it out on Google Maps first. In the Google Maps app, search for a location, like a hotel you're considering staying at.

In the bottom left corner, you'll notice a small box with a photo of the building. This is the street view of the area, so tap it to see what it looks like. You can zoom in and out and check out the area by swiping your finger across the screen. By collecting massive amounts of geospatial data and making it all available through the medium of a mobile application, Google is trying to realize its concept of bringing the world closer together, of serving as an information hub in the massive library that is the internet.

Of course, Google, a private corporation, cannot possibly expect to gather all this data on its own. For its basic geological map, Google depends on its Base Map Partner Program , which collects information from a range of credible organizations, such as the US Geological Survey, Forest Service, city and state councils and so forth, using them to construct everything from massive freeways to remote lanes and stitching them together into the comprehensive digital image that we call Google Maps.

The idea here is to run cars, motorboats, snowmobiles and other assorted vehicles through every possible road and alleyway, taking degree images everywhere they go.

The images thus obtained are then plotted on to the base map using GPS coordinates, leading to the end result that is Google Street View. Initiatives like Project Tango are taking map digitization inside our buildings and offices. If people are spending 17, minutes a year on the road, just think about the impact potential of indoor mapping, the next frontier for digital navigation.

While there is no direct equivalent to a satellite GPS, we are now seeing scalable deployments of the required infrastructure for indoor positioning that can deliver accurate location to indoor maps in real-time.

When combined with the vast amount of data available, there are huge new opportunities for improving experiences and operational efficiencies. The satellite view available via Google Maps is created through collaboration with Google Earth, depending on images from third-party satellites to be stitched into the mainframe to provide high-resolution photographs of the world taken from above.

These images are then referenced with Street View and base map data, resulting in a single application that can provide you with a glimpse of the entire world with a tap on a screen.