DIGITAL FIELD MAPPING WITH A FULL VALIDATION AND RESTORATION WORKFLOW USING MOVETM

Move^TM has the functionality to provide a full digital workflow in the field, incorporating use of Windows Journal as a digital notebook, to yield excellent feedback between field mapping and the evolving digital model. The “fair copy” or “inking-in” step becomes redundant saving time which then becomes available for analysis and model validation in the evenings following fieldwork. A preliminary digital model is built during the field campaign meaning that analysis is already well advanced by the end of fieldwork (as opposed to much later, following office-based analysis during which the opportunity for re-examining exposures has been lost). The approach is faster than traditional paper-based mapping and yields well-justified and accurate mapping with a short cycle time to final model and communication/ presentation.

Traditional paper map and notebook techniques do provide well established workflows but the results often remain untested in the field, and therefore may not be valid. Transfer to a useful digital format following fieldwork is normally required for analysis and presentation in any case and digital mapping removes this time-consuming step. Traditional mapping outcomes can be transferred to Move^TM to facilitate validation in the office following fieldwork but this approach is also time-consuming and the feedback benefits of working with digital data in the field are lost.

There are also significant gains from integration of traditional mapping and digital mapping techniques, without the full digital workflow, particularly in teaching. Traditional mapping plus transfer to Move^TM during the field campaign is, however, not recommended: it is far too time-consuming, leaving no time for thought and analysis. On the other hand, traditional mapping plus use of Move^TM to replace the traditional fair copy stage does provide a good mix of technologies and productivity gains. Alternatively, Move^TM can simply be used for preliminary analysis during a field campaign – as a “thinking tool” during preparation of a traditional “fair copy” or “inked-in” map. An example of this would be to validate cartoon sketch cross sections and visualizations. This mixed-mode approach is particularly useful in reconnaissance or skilled user/demonstrator lead fieldwork.