How can you validate the results of your GIS model in a Civil Engineering project?

2 Collect and prepare your data

The quality and accuracy of your GIS model depend largely on the quality and accuracy of your data. Therefore, you need to collect and prepare your data carefully and systematically. You should use reliable and relevant data sources that match your objectives and criteria. You should also check and clean your data for any errors, inconsistencies, or missing values. You should also document and organize your data, such as the metadata, attributes, formats, and projections. By collecting and preparing your data, you will ensure that your GIS model has a solid and trustworthy foundation.

3 Test and calibrate your model

Once you have your data ready, you need to test and calibrate your model to make sure that it works properly and produces reasonable results. You should run your model with different input parameters and scenarios, and check if the output matches your expectations and criteria. You should also compare your output with other sources of information, such as existing models, literature, or expert opinions. You should also adjust your model settings and parameters to improve its performance and reduce its errors. By testing and calibrating your model, you will optimize its functionality and validity.

4 Evaluate and verify your results

After you have tested and calibrated your model, you need to evaluate and verify your results to confirm their reliability and accuracy. You should use different methods and techniques to measure and quantify the errors and uncertainties of your results, such as error matrices, confidence intervals, sensitivity analysis, or validation statistics. You should also use different methods and techniques to visualize and communicate your results, such as maps, charts, tables, or reports. You should also interpret and explain your results, such as the main findings, implications, limitations, or recommendations. By evaluating and verifying your results, you will demonstrate their credibility and value.

5 Review and update your model

Finally, you need to review and update your model to ensure that it remains relevant and useful for your project. You should review your model periodically and systematically, and check if it still meets your objectives and criteria. You should also update your model whenever there are new or changed data, information, or requirements. You should also document and archive your model, such as the inputs, outputs, settings, parameters, methods, techniques, results, and conclusions. By reviewing and updating your model, you will maintain its quality and accuracy.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?