There have been many changes in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology which are beneficial for analysis and visualisation of Geographical Information (GI) but these have failed to be applied to non GIS users. The development of a computer based working environment for using GI within generic decision-making situations is a necessity if more use is to be made of GI by non GIS specialists. Problems are outlined for the incorporation of GI into existing systems : GIS and Spatial Decision Support Systems (SDSS). Issues of usability, integration of software/information and functionality have slowed the wider acceptance of GIS. 'These issues have lead to the development of a conceptual functional model of a Geographical Operating Environment (GOE). The GOE is proposed as a solution to the use of GI within a generic computer based decision-making environment for non GIS users. The GOE integrates the use of GI and non GI to allow the user to view and analyse information within a decision-making context. A series of prototypes have been developed and tested, mostly in conjunction with commercial organisations. The research has shown that there is much benefit in facilitating access to GI and non GI by decision-makers and that alternate strategies can be visualised and analysed. However, there are still problems for the mainstream use of GI within generic decision-making using existing computer systems from both a technological and sociological perspective. Decision-makers would benefit from the .additional analytical and visualisation techniques that can be applied to GI through the use of a GI based working environment such as the GOE.