How do you incorporate survey quality control and quality assurance in your workflow?

1 Planning stage

When planning your survey project, you should define the scope, objectives, specifications, and deliverables. Establishing the QC and QA criteria, methods, and responsibilities for each stage of the project is also crucial. Consider aspects such as the purpose and requirements of the survey, survey methods and techniques, the sources of errors that may affect the data, QC checks and corrections to be applied, and QA procedures and documentation. Additionally, take into account factors like accuracy, precision, resolution, coverage, format of data and products, equipment and software used, environmental conditions, human factors, measurement errors, processing errors, quality plans and manuals. Finally, ensure that records, audits, reviews and reports are all properly documented.

2 Execution stage

At the execution stage of a survey, one should collect, process, and analyze the data according to the plan and implement quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) activities to ensure data quality and integrity. Aspects to consider when executing QC and QA activities include field procedures and practices like field notes, sketches, photographs, metadata, and safety measures. Additionally, one should consider QC checks and corrections to be performed in the field such as field measurements, comparisons, cross-checks, and adjustments. Data processing and analysis procedures and software settings, parameters, and outputs should also be taken into account. Finally, QA procedures and documentation such as data logs, reports, reviews, and feedback should be completed.

3 Reporting stage

When reporting your QC and QA activities, you should assess the format and content of survey data and products, such as maps, drawings, tables, charts, and metadata. Additionally, it is important to consider the QC checks and corrections to be applied to the data and products, as well as the QA procedures and documentation to be included. Moreover, take into account the client feedback and acceptance criteria to be met. Lastly, record the QC and QA lessons learned and recommendations for best practices, improvements, and challenges.