“The group was asked to consider to what extent the different agencies are acting in the scope of our common Nordic Strategic Goals and especially how to meet the future demands and the scope of the end user perspective. The group should in this context also consider the development of new ways of collecting data, i.e. drones, satellites and international programs i.e. Copernicus and ELF.

Also how these developments are to fit into our current organizations. Regarding the end user perspective – it is important that the group puts special effort into analyzing what is going on locally, regionally and internationally and how the mapping authorities must tune their deliverances to meet the future trends from government, companies and individuals.”

Framework for the cooperation

For all countries and parties to actively contribute in the work to share experiences and knowledge; the scope includes cadastral and topographic data, the 2D, 3D and historic and planned (Lifecycle data management) perspectives on this data, the methods for collecting, storing and disseminating of data and the usage of the data in society.

It is equally important for NMAs to understand the changing role of spatial data. Traditionally spatial data has been used to make topographic maps as well as other products and services. When the data is used in processes of various ecosystems, it must be fit for purpose without further processing. NMAs need to take responsibility of data modelling, quality assurance and consistent delivery, because this is the NMAs core expertise.

 The Guiding principle

The guiding principle for all work in the group is the end-user perspective and the end-user need and set our assignment in a broader perspective – various ecosystems.

 The Scope

As it is evident that the users increasingly need a combination of geographical information (collected through various methods) rather than a map in the traditional sense (or a single type of information) the focus of the group will reflect the complete range of data collected in the Nordic mapping agencies and the link between these geodata and other public data. This scope therefor includes cadastral and topographic data, the 2D, 3D and historic and planned (Lifecycle data management) perspectives on this data, the methods for collecting, storing and disseminating of data (including tender procedures) and the usage of the data in society. The group will have a specific focus on exchanging knowledge and ideas about how to monitor and facilitate the usage of open data by new users in the public sector, as well as key branches in the private sector. The scope will also make it possible to have an ongoing and proactive dialogue about the future role of the national mapping agencies.

The Purpose

In the defined scope the purpose of the cooperation in this group is:

• To harmonize data, products, licenses and business models
• To involve the market in data collection strategies and crowd sourced data
• To share experiences, knowledge and ideas
• To support each other making progress in developments within the scope
• To benchmark good procedures and best practice
• To promote informal contact ways for sharing experiences, knowledge and ideas
• To open up for development of common nordic solutions
• To share each countries strategy/strategies