Lecture 6

Project Management & Modeling

Geog406 - Project Management

Geog406 - Project Management

Spatial ModelingSpatial modelingCartographic modelingArcGIS and ModelingGIS project management

Geog406 - Project Management

Spatial Models and Modeling

Models– A description of reality– Aids in understanding patterns and

processes

– A diagram– An equation– A static reproduction of an object

Geog406 - Project Management

Patterns

Visible Patterns– Random distribution– Clustering– Uniform distribution

Functional Patterns– Relationships between

variables

Geog406 - Project Management

Patterns:Dr. Snow’s Map

John Snow, 1854Cholera via polluted water, not air“John Snow’s pump”

Geog406 - Project Management

Models Based on Methodology

Stochastic– Random process – Even if initial condition is known, the

process might take many paths.– Exs. Crime, disease spread, animal

movement, etc.

Deterministic– No randomness, always same

output.– Based on known functional linkages

and interactions– Flow direction– Suitability studies

Geog406 - Project Management

Models Based on Logic

Inductive– Bottom up– Starts with data– Ends up with theories– Habitat studies

Deductive– Starts with general theories/expectations– End up with specifics to prove/disprove theory– Hypothesis testing

Geog406 - Project Management

Cartographic Model

Analysis through a combination of spatial data, function, and operationsOften include operations such as– Reclassification– Overlay– Buffering– Interpolation– Proximity analysis

Suitability study– Rank land according to their utility for various uses

Geog406 - Project Management

Procedure for Modeling

1. Identify needs2. Survey of the existing data3. Conceptual design of the database4. Create new data5. Analysis6. Presenting results

Geog406 - Project Management

Identify Needs

Decision criteria– What are they?– Be as specific as possibleDeliverables– What is expected from the analysis?– In what formats?DocumentationCost and time constraints

Geog406 - Project Management

Criteria

As specific as possibleRequired vs preferred

Suitability:– Close to lakes– Near roads– Not too steep

What data is needed?– Lakes– Roads– Elevation

Geog406 - Project Management

Survey of Existing Data

What data are available?In what format?– Raster vs Vector– SDTS– DLG– DEM– TIGER

Ownership – Use constraints?Coordinate systemsResolutionTime of data

What data need to be created?

Geog406 - Project Management

Analysis: Flowchart

Components:– Input– Output– Operations

Advantages– Conceptualization– Implementation– Scheduling– Documenting

Geog406 - Project Management

Home-site Selection

Four Criteria– Slopes not be too steep– Southern aspect is preferred– Soils suitable for on-site septic systems

required– Far enough away from a main road to

offer some privacy, but not so far as to be isolated

Geog406 - Project Management

Home-site Selection

Data Needed:– Slope

Elevation– Aspect

Elevation– Soils

Soil– Roads

Roads

Layers Required:

• Elevation

• Soils

• Roads

Geog406 - Project Management

Home-site SelectionRankingRanking specific Criteria– Slope:

< 30 degrees– Aspect

> 90 degrees< 270 degrees

– SoilsSuitable types for on-site septic system

– Distance from main road>300 meters<2000 meters

Geog406 - Project Management

Home-site SelectionWeighting

Weighting Layers– How to weight one layer relative to another.

Geog406 - Project Management

Home-site Selection

Flowchart: HomesiteSuitability Cartographic Model

Geog406 - Project Management

Predictive Model

Geog406 - Project Management

Other issues

Pilot studyDatabase managementName conventionsBack-ups/ArchivingSchedulingConstraints: – Time, Money, Skills

ArcGIS and Suitability Models: Commonly Used Tools

Clip Tool (optional)Buffer/Multiple Ring Buffer Tools - Dissolve option“Polygon to Raster” or “Feature to Raster” Tools– Format conversion

Reclass ToolWeighted Overlay Tool– Have equal # of classes in each layer!

Geog406 - Project Management

Jobs Skill Golden Diamond

Basic Skills: Writing, Communicating, PR….

Skills of Critical Thinking

Subject SkillsTechnical Skills