DECISION-SUPPORT TOOLS FOR TRANSFERRING AM FM/GIS TO SMALL COMMUNITIES/

This paper examines several decision-support tools for transferring AM /FM/GIS technology to small communities. The term Computer-Assisted Sp atial Information Systems (CASIS) provides a basis for a systematic ca tegorization and definition of AM/FM/GIS systems that will serve to en hance small communities' understanding of these technologies for futur e decisions. The acronym CASIS includes such areas as database-managem ent systems, automated mapping/facilities management/geographic inform ation systems (AM/FM/GIS), and computer-aided drafting (CAD). Further, this paper reports the highlights of a survey that assesses the theor y-practice gap in AM/FM/GIS usage among very small local government ag encies. The survey uncovered an existing theory-practice gap: A slow r ate of system usage among very small local governments due to a lack o f awareness of these technologies and their benefits. Finally, this pa per identifies several decision-support strategies necessary for bridg ing that theory-practice gap. The CASIS project life cycle provides a framework for discussing these issues.