Independent of the software package being used, a GIS will have the capability to address five primary issues: location, condition, trends, patterns and modelling.

Location: A position or site occupied by some distinguishing feature.

Condition: The attributes of a specified location.

Trends: The general direction or movement the condition has taken over time.

Patterns: The spatial patterns in existence.

Modelling: The testing of scenarios in the digital landscape to predict outcomes.