Laguna Beach County Water District Partners with Nobel Systems to Develop Comprehensive GIS Strategic Plan
- Michael Samuel
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Establishing a long-term roadmap for geospatial modernization and smarter utility management.
“This partnership represents an exciting first for both organizations — marking Nobel Systems’ inaugural consulting-focused GIS strategic planning engagement and a foundational step toward long-term geospatial advancement for the Laguna Beach County Water District.”
Supporting Long-Term Operational Excellence Through Strategic GIS Planning
The Laguna Beach County Water District (LBCWD) has initiated an important new consulting partnership with Nobel Systems to develop a comprehensive Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Strategic Plan. This marks a significant milestone not only for the District’s long-term digital transformation goals, but also for Nobel Systems, as this is the company’s first dedicated GIS strategic planning consulting project of its kind.
While Nobel Systems is widely recognized for its GeoViewer Cloud GIS and field mobility platforms used by cities and water districts across the United States, this engagement reflects a deepening of the company’s role in strategic guidance, planning, and GIS program development.
For LBCWD, the GIS Strategic Plan will serve as a roadmap to support more efficient workflows, strengthen asset and infrastructure management, and enable long-term decision-making grounded in accurate spatial data.
Understanding the District's Vision
Located along California’s coastline, the Laguna Beach County Water District is committed to delivering reliable, high-quality water service to its community while responsibly managing natural resources and infrastructure. To support these goals, the District recognizes the value of a strong GIS foundation — one that connects field operations, asset data, engineering, planning, and customer service.
The GIS Strategic Plan will establish clear goals, priorities, governance models, training pathways, and investment strategies to ensure the District is positioned to use GIS effectively and sustainably.
Partnering with an Industry Leader
Headquartered in Redlands, California, Nobel Systems has served public utilities and local governments for more than three decades. With extensive experience delivering GIS technology and asset management solutions, Nobel is uniquely positioned to guide LBCWD through a thoughtful and strategic planning process.
“Nobel Systems brings deep experience supporting water districts statewide, enabling GIS to become not just a mapping tool — but a foundation for planning, operations, and customer service.”
Through this partnership, Nobel Systems will evaluate the District’s current GIS environment, identify areas for improvement, and develop a practical, phased roadmap that aligns GIS investments with operational goals, staffing capacity, and future needs.
This engagement will include:
· A GIS Maturity Assessment to establish a baseline of current capabilities
· Stakeholder interviews and department outreach
· System and data review across key infrastructure and workflows
· Strategic planning workshops
· A comprehensive three-year GIS Strategic Plan with budget guidance and implementation steps
This collaborative process ensures that the Strategic Plan is grounded in real operational needs and shaped directly by the people who will use GIS daily.
A Structured, Phased Approach
To ensure clarity, accountability, and long-term sustainability, the project will be conducted in four structured phases.
Inception and Kickoff
Nobel Systems will meet with LBCWD leadership and department stakeholders to confirm goals, review priorities, and finalize the project approach. This phase ensures alignment from the start and supports clear communication throughout the engagement.
GIS Maturity Assessment
This phase will evaluate the District’s current GIS usage and readiness across six key pillars:
· Governance & decision-making
· Data quality and data models
· Software and GIS applications
· Workflow integration
· Staff training and capacity
· IT infrastructure
The assessment will include surveys, interviews, system reviews, and benchmarking against water district best practices.
“The Maturity Assessment provides a clear before-and-after measurement of progress — and identifies both quick-win improvements and long-term strategic opportunities.”
GIS Strategic Plan Draft
Using assessment insights, Nobel will develop a GIS Strategic Plan Draft Report outlining:
· GIS vision and mission for the District
· Improvement objectives and strategic focus areas
· A phased, three-year implementation roadmap
· Budget ranges and investment considerations
· KPI framework to measure progress and impact
Staff review workshops will ensure the plan is realistic and fully aligned with operational priorities.
Final Strategic Plan Delivery and Presentation
A final report will be delivered along with an executive presentation and recommended adoption steps. Nobel will support the District in preparing for roll-out, internal communication, and stakeholder alignment.
Expected Value and Impact
The GIS Strategic Plan is designed to bring tangible, measurable benefits to the Laguna Beach County Water District and its customers.
Operational Efficiency
A coordinated GIS framework will streamline workflows, reduce duplication of effort, and ensure staff have reliable access to asset and infrastructure data.
Improved Field and Office Coordination
Clear data standards and shared systems will enhance communication among field staff, administrative teams, and engineering teams.
Stronger Asset & Capital Planning
High-quality spatial data supports long-term planning for maintenance, replacement, and capital investment.
Greater Transparency & Reporting
GIS-driven analysis and insights support reporting, public communication, and regulatory compliance.
Sustainable Program Growth
The plan will establish governance and training structures to ensure knowledge transfer and long-term institutional stability.
“By treating GIS as a strategic program — rather than a technical utility — LBCWD is positioning itself for long-term operational and service excellence.”
A First-of-Its-Kind Engagement for Nobel Systems
While Nobel Systems has supported hundreds of GIS deployments, asset data conversions, and cloud platform rollouts, this engagement marks the company’s first dedicated GIS strategic consulting initiative of this scope and format.
It represents an expansion of Nobel’s services into strategic planning, advisory guidance, and GIS program development — complementing the company’s established technology platforms and field mobility solutions.
This new service offering reflects Nobel’s ongoing commitment to supporting water districts at every stage of GIS maturity—from foundational strategy to full operational implementation.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Laguna Beach County Water District GIS
As the Laguna Beach County Water District embarks on this strategic planning initiative, it is laying the groundwork for a smarter, more integrated, and future-ready approach to infrastructure and service management.
Nobel Systems is proud to support this vision and looks forward to working collaboratively with District leadership, staff, and stakeholders throughout the planning process.
About Nobel Systems
Nobel Systems, Inc. is a leader in Cloud GIS and Smart Utility Solutions, delivering innovative mapping technology, data services, and strategic consulting to support sustainable public service operations. Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Redlands, California, Nobel Systems, Inc. serves clients across the United States and internationally.
Learn more at www.nobel-systems.com
