PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP

ROI ASSESSMENT FOR NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Date: 10th September 2024 // Time: 1400-1700 hrs

INTRODUCTION

Geospatial infrastructure serves as the foundation for modern governance, driving informed decision-making across sectors such as urban planning, agriculture, transportation, disaster management, and public health. Yet, despite its growing importance, the value of national geospatial infrastructure is often underestimated or inadequately quantified.

In today’s dynamic economic environment, governments and institutions face increasing pressure to justify public expenditures, allocate resources more efficiently, and deliver measurable outcomes. As geospatial infrastructure investments expand, the need to assess their return on investment (ROI) becomes critical. ROI assessment is not just about demonstrating cost savings; it is about articulating the broader economic, social, and environmental benefits of these investments. It is a tool that enables decision-makers to ensure that investments are aligned with national priorities, yielding maximum impact across society.

In this high-level workshop, we will address why ROI assessment is essential for geospatial infrastructure, particularly in the context of growing demands for transparency and accountability in public spending. We will explore the challenges in quantifying the full spectrum of benefits derived from geospatial systems, such as enhanced decision-making, improved service delivery, and the fostering of innovation. Through an examination of both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, participants will understand the methods and tools needed to assess the true value of geospatial infrastructure investments.

OBJECTIVES OF THE WORKSHOP

  • Understanding ROI in Geospatial Infrastructure: To provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of how to define (both qualitative and quantitative) and measure ROI in the context of national geospatial infrastructure, focusing on both direct economic returns and broader societal benefits.
  • Methodologies for ROI Assessment: To introduce methodologies and frameworks for assessing the ROI of geospatial infrastructure, including cost-benefit analysis, economic impact analysis, and other relevant models.
  • Aligning Geospatial Investments with National Priorities: To explore how geospatial infrastructure investments can be strategically aligned with national development goals, ensuring that these projects contribute to economic growth, sustainability, and improved governance.
  • Building a Business Case for Geospatial Investments: To equip participants with the knowledge to articulate a compelling business case for ongoing and future geospatial investments, ensuring stakeholder buy-in and long-term project sustainability.

KEY DISCUSSION THEMES

  • The Strategic Value of Geospatial Infrastructure: Exploring how national geospatial infrastructure underpins key sectors and contributes to broader national objectives, including economic resilience, environmental sustainability, and social inclusion.
  • Challenges in ROI Measurement: Identifying the challenges of quantifying the ROI of geospatial infrastructure, particularly in capturing intangible benefits such as improved decision-making, enhanced service delivery, and better governance.
  • Case Studies on ROI Assessment: Examining real-world case studies of successful geospatial infrastructure projects and how their ROI was assessed, providing practical examples of best practices and lessons learned.
  • Integrating Geospatial ROI into Policy and Planning: Discussing how ROI assessments can be integrated into policy development and national planning processes to ensure that geospatial investments deliver maximum value to society.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

  • Enhanced Knowledge: Participants will gain a thorough understanding of the importance of ROI assessment note in geospatial infrastructure and the methodologies available to carry out these assessments effectively.
  • Actionable Frameworks: Attendees will leave with frameworks that can be applied to assess the ROI of geospatial infrastructure projects in their respective contexts.
  • Stronger Business Cases: The workshop will empower participants to build stronger business cases for geospatial investments, fostering greater stakeholder support and facilitating sustainable funding models for future projects.
  • Collaborative Network: By engaging with peers from government, private sector, and academia, participants will develop a collaborative network focused on advancing the strategic value of geospatial infrastructure.

AGENDA

Time Session Format Details
14:00 - 14:15 Opening Presentation: The Strategic Value of Geospatial Infrastructure Presentation A keynote presentation highlighting the importance of national geospatial infrastructure in driving economic, social, and environmental development.
14:15 – 14:45 Session 1: Understanding ROI in Geospatial Infrastructure Interactive Lecture + Q&A Introduction to ROI in geospatial infrastructure, covering definitions, key concepts, and the importance of ROI assessment. Participants will engage in a Q&A session to explore these concepts further.
14:45- 15:30 Session 2: Methodologies for ROI Assessment Interactive Workshop + Group Exercise Discussion on various methodologies for ROI assessment, such as cost-benefit analysis, SROI, and economic impact analysis. Participants will work in groups to apply one of the methodologies in a hypothetical scenario.
15:30 – 15:45 Coffee Break Networking A short coffee break allowing participants to network and refresh.
15:45 – 16:15 Session 3: Case Studies on ROI Assessment in Geospatial Infrastructure Case Study Presentations + Interactive Discussion Presentation of real-world case studies where ROI was successfully assessed in geospatial infrastructure projects, followed by an interactive discussion to draw lessons and insights.
16:15 - 17:00 Session 4: Aligning Geospatial Investments with National Priorities and Closing Remarks Group Discussion + Summary Participants engage in a group discussion on how to strategically align geospatial investments with national priorities, followed by a summary of key takeaways and closing remarks.