In this chapter we have looked at the potential of GIS for the policy formulation process in public administration as well at the factors that influence the actual use of GIS. The potential is related to get a better insight in the complexity of wicked policy problems and the possibility to visualize effects. Through a literature scan we have listed a number of relevant instrumental and institutional factors that account for the successful use of GIS. Furthermore we have studied the use of GIS in a regional development practice. The possible contribution of GIS to institutional renewal is that it may facilitate a process of reversed mixed scanning.