Implementing ArcGIS Workflow Manager for a Local Government Client
Transitioning to Branch Versioning
Recently, one of Argis Solutions’ local government clients wanted to transition from a client-based architecture to a service-based architecture as part of its future-focused information technology vision. The client knew migrating from traditional versioning in the enterprise geodatabase to branch versioning would help them move the needle toward that goal.
With branch versioning, customers no longer need to make direct connections to the enterprise geodatabase. Instead, they can connect to web services (map services or feature services). Additionally, branch versioning allowed the client to take advantage of Esri’s newest tool sets like ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Workflow Manager, a workflow management system.
Our client’s feedback after implementing ArcGIS Workflow Manager:
“Workflow Manager brought us a repeatable process that anyone who edits our data can follow. It creates a consistent, defined workflow that allows us to bring new staff members up to speed.”
Supporting Processes Around Authoritative Data
Our client wanted to use ArcGIS Workflow Manager because of its feature services management support and the system’s simplicity for managing authoritative data in its enterprise geodatabase. ArcGIS Workflow Manager places formal structure around workflows for authoritative data. Users are guided through data editing and data quality processes, ensuring no steps are missed.
The built-in guardrails around data management means end users don’t have to know how to version data, a process that can be cumbersome for new staff to learn when turnover occurs. Branch versioning in combination with ArcGIS Workflow Manager condensed the complexity of the traditional version workflow.
The Workflow Manager Process
Initially data is created through various methods of loading and editing into the Enterprise database. An “edit features” service is created in Portal, followed by publishing an ArcGIS Pro project template. An ArcGIS Workflow Manager workflow is built for the job or data set that requires editing. Once that is created, end users use ArcGIS Workflow Manager’s simple “start job” process to complete their work. In contrast to the traditional method of data updates, no extra steps are needed for creating versions or reconciling and posting data edits.
Migrating data editors from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro took approximately seven months and was a small part of the client’s three-year, comprehensive GIS modernization project.
What are the client’s results from implementing ArcGIS Workflow Manager?
“It’s been successful. Our end users realized placing a structure around their processes made their jobs easier and eliminated a lot of mundane work.”