We get to work on some great projects here at thinkWhere, but we’re particularly proud of the project we’ve just started with the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) to develop the Tasking Manager version 3.0 (TM3). It’s great to work in an industry where the work we do with maps can have such a tangible impact on the humanitarian effort. thinkWhere support this wherever we can by supporting MapAction by both supporting my own personal volunteering (which you can read more about here) and through fundraising efforts such the running the Stirling Marathon, which is open for sponsorship here so please donate if you can! Therefore being given the opportunity to also get involved with the HOT Community and deliver TM3 is something we’re extremely proud of.
The current HOT Tasking Manager (TM2) coordinates volunteer mapper contribution to OpenStreetMap, meaning the global network of HOT volunteers can map affected areas efficiently providing disaster responders on the ground such as MapAction, MSF and the Red Cross access to detailed mapping during the response.
Following a significant increase in the capture of OSM data through initiatives such as Missing Maps, and subsequent loads on existing servers and software, the development of TM3 aims to better meet the needs of mappers, validators and project managers. This will be achieved by taking advantage of the very latest advances and innovations in web development frameworks and methodologies.
Blake Girardot, TM3 Project Manager said…
“We are very excited to be working with thinkWhere to develop the next generation of HOT’s Tasking Manager application. The team at thinkWhere brings a wealth of geospatial development experience, talent and insight to the project. Used by thousands of people around the world, our Tasking Manager software is the key technology component that enables our humanitarian mapping work and having thinkWhere as partners ensures the development project will be a success and deliver a great result for our community”.
In early February 2017, we travelled to HOT’s office in Washington DC for the project initiation meeting with various project stakeholders to discuss initial requirements and wireframe designs.
Awesome meeting with the @thinkWhere1 team today, great bunch to work with! pic.twitter.com/mw71M5Cu2S
— Chad Blevins (@geocruizer) February 1, 2017
This engagement with some of the largest users of the Tasking Manager to discuss functionality and solicit feedback on how features might be implemented was a great way to start the project. A long, but very productive day, the discussion involved representatives from Missing Maps, YouthMappers, TeachOSM, GeoCenter, the US State Department’s Humanitarian Information Unit, Mapbox, HOT Project Managers, American Red Cross and Ethan Nelson, the lead community development volunteer.
thinkWhere’s Chief Executive Alan Moore said…
“We’re really delighted and privileged to be working with the team at HOT. Redevelopment of the Tasking Manager will be key to the future growth and sustainability of the humanitarian mapping effort across the world. The development work flows naturally from the innovative work we’ve been doing recently on theMapCloud, our new spatial data platform, and we’re keen to bring those advantages to the benefit of HOT and the global mapping community”.
Since arriving back in Scotland from the States the team have been hard at work developing TM3. You can follow development progress of TM3 on the Tasking Manager GitHub repository and can also view the TM3 Staging Site.
Good hustle this morning for the @hotosm #taskingmanager 3.0 development by @thinkWhere1 #geo4good pic.twitter.com/DW225vSMRb
— David Frankland (@dcfrankland) March 8, 2017
Everyone is invited to participate in the process. Comments, questions and issues are needed and encouraged on the GitHub repository’s Issues tab, so please get involved!
