Getting started with GIS: A beginner's guide to geographic information systems
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are now used across industries like construction, mining, utilities, and environmental management to better understand what’s happening on the ground. If you’ve ever looked at a map and thought, “There’s a lot more data behind this,” you’re right — and that’s exactly where GIS comes in.
If you’re new to GIS, this guide will walk you through the fundamentals and help you take your first steps.
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What is GIS?
GIS, or Geographic Information Systems, is technology used to capture, store, analyze, and visualize location-based data. It helps people understand patterns, relationships, and changes across places by layering different types of spatial information on a map.
Why use GIS?
Why not just use spreadsheets or reports? GIS becomes valuable when location plays a role in your work.
It helps you:
- Visualize data on a map instead of rows in a table
- Identify patterns across sites or over time
- Improve decision-making with spatial context
- Create a shared view of information across your team
- Reduce back-and-forth by keeping data, maps, and insights in one place
For teams managing physical assets or large sites, this shift from static data to spatial understanding is often where things start to click — especially when everyone is working from the same source of truth.
Key Components of GIS
Spatial Data
At the core of any GIS workflow is spatial data — information tied to a specific location.
There are two main types:
- Vector data: Represents discrete features like points (assets), lines (roads or pipelines), and polygons (site boundaries or stockpiles)
- Raster data: Represents continuous data, such as aerial imagery or elevation models, using a grid of cells
Most GIS workflows combine both. For example, you might overlay asset locations (vector) on top of a drone-captured orthomosaic (raster).
Learn more about raster and vector data here: Understanding raster and vector geospatial data
GIS Software
GIS software is where data is brought together, visualized, and analyzed. There’s a wide range of tools available. Some are highly technical desktop applications, while others are cloud-based and designed for easier access and collaboration.
Platforms like Birdi focus on helping teams upload geospatial data, visualize it quickly, and generate outputs without needing deep GIS expertise or complex setup.
To see the differences in top drone mapping platforms, check out: Top drone mapping platforms in 2026
Hardware
Depending on how data is captured, GIS workflows can involve different types of hardware.
This might include:
- Drones for aerial surveys
- Smartphones or 360 degree cameras for site capture (Find out more: Georeferencing: How devices (including smartphones) turn images into GIS data)
- Standard laptops or tablets for accessing GIS platforms
With cloud-based tools, most processing happens remotely, which reduces the need for high-performance local machines.
People
GIS isn’t just about technology — it’s about how people use it.
Traditionally, GIS required specialists like analysts or technicians. That’s still important in many cases, but modern tools are making GIS more accessible to engineers, project managers, and operators who need insights without deep technical training.
Learn more: Making sense of GIS data: A practical guide for teams
Understanding coordinate systems and projections
One concept that often trips people up early on is coordinate systems. Put simply, a coordinate system defines how locations on Earth are represented, while a projection determines how that curved surface is displayed on a flat map.
You’ll commonly come across systems like:
- WGS84 (a global geographic coordinate system)
- UTM or MGA zones (projected systems used for more accurate local measurements)
You don’t need to master these immediately, but understanding that different systems exist — and that your data needs to align — is an important early step.
Learn more: What is a Coordinate Reference System (CRS) — and why does it matter for mapping?
Common GIS use cases
GIS is used across a wide range of industries, often in slightly different ways.
GIS for construction
In construction, GIS helps teams stay aligned across evolving sites. It’s commonly used for:
- Tracking site progress over time
- Comparing designs with actual site conditions
- Monitoring earthworks and terrain changes
- Sharing up-to-date site visuals with stakeholders
GIS for mining and resources
In mining and quarry operations, GIS supports both operational visibility and reporting. Common uses include:
- Stockpile tracking and volumetric reporting
- Monitoring terrain and site changes over time
- Supporting planning and compliance workflows
- Visualizing large, complex sites in one place
GIS for utilities and energy
For utilities and energy providers, GIS plays a key role in asset management and inspections:
- Inspecting powerlines and infrastructure
- Mapping networks and identifying risk areas
- Supporting maintenance planning
GIS for environmental and government
In environmental and government applications, GIS is often used for monitoring and planning:
- Tracking land use and vegetation changes
- Supporting environmental reporting and compliance
- Assisting with planning and infrastructure development
The common thread is using spatial data to better understand what’s happening across real-world locations.
Getting started with GIS
If you’re starting from scratch, the process is more straightforward than it might seem.
1. Learn the basics
Start by familiarizing yourself with core concepts like spatial data types, coordinate systems, and projections. You don’t need to go deep straight away — just enough to understand how your data fits together. (Our glossary is a great place to start: An easy glossary of geospatial and GIS terms)
2. Explore GIS software
Different tools suit different workflows. Some are built for advanced analysis, while others prioritize ease of use. When evaluating options, a good test is how quickly you can go from uploading data to actually getting useful insights.
3. Capture geospatial data
Next comes data collection. This could be through:
- Drone surveys
- Mobile capture
- Existing datasets
The method depends on your use case, but the goal is the same — capturing accurate, location-based information.
4. Create your first map
Once you have data, upload it into your GIS platform and visualize it.
From there, you can generate outputs like:
- Orthomosaics
- Digital elevation models (DEMs)
- Contours
Seeing your data in its spatial context is often the point where everything starts to make sense.
5. Generate insights
This is where GIS becomes valuable. You can annotate features, inspect assets, compare datasets over time, and start answering real questions about your sites.
More importantly, GIS helps move insights out of silos. Instead of one person analyzing data in isolation, teams can work from a shared view — reducing bottlenecks and making it easier to communicate what’s actually happening on site.
Instead of just collecting data, you’re now using it to inform decisions across your team.
6. Learn from the community
There’s a large GIS community sharing tutorials, workflows, and ideas. Sites like Geoawesome are a good place to explore what others are doing and stay up to date with the industry.
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Getting started with GIS doesn’t require a huge upfront investment or deep technical background. It’s really about taking that first step — uploading data, seeing it on a map, and starting to ask better questions. From there, everything builds naturally.
Frequently asked questions
Is GIS hard to learn?
GIS can seem complex at first, but many modern tools have made it much more approachable. Starting with basic concepts and simple workflows is usually enough to get going.
What kind of data do I need to use GIS?
GIS works with any data that has a location attached to it. In many workflows, this includes data captured from drones, cameras, or mobile devices, as well as existing datasets like maps or survey data. The key is having accurate, location-based information that you can visualize and analyze.
What industries use GIS?
GIS is used across construction, mining, utilities, government, agriculture, and environmental management. Any industry that deals with location-based data can benefit from it.
What is the difference between GIS and mapping?
Mapping is one part of GIS. GIS goes further by allowing you to analyze, layer, and generate insights from spatial data, not just visualize it.