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Maps & Geospatial: Project Planning

This guide provides general guidance on resources for planning a project with a geospatial component, which can apply to multiple disciplines. Specific disciplines may have additional subject-specific considerations.

Workflow Options

Processing Techniques and Workflow

How will the data need to be manipulated? What processing techniques do you want to employ?
Consider Geoprocessing (Clip, Buffer, Merge, Union), Spatial Analysis (surface analysis, terrain, pattern analysis), Data

Manipulation

Design and Symbology Options:

What options are available for chosen software?
Consider Color, size of symbols, layered options, weights, groupings of data of information

Software Options

Consider software availability, learning resources, and tools

Consider options of software including desktop and online options:

Map Viewers with print and download options

Desktop (ArcGIS, QGIS, GeoDa)

Online (MapBox, Google Maps, ArcGIS Online, Leaflet)

Online Applications (w/Data): PolicyMap, SimplyMap, SocialExplorer, LandScan

Data Creation

Will data need to be created? Is there reference data for study area? Is there other data sources that would be used to create new geospatial data files? Will data need to be collected using a certain collection method?

Automation and Size of Data

Will there be processes that will repeat across datasets? Is there automated ways to loop these processes to automate workflows and lessen processing time?