14 Living with uncertainty in spatial data
14.1 Modern desktop mapping systems and desktop GIS, have the façade of being easy to use applications that enable professionals to visualise and analyse spatial relationships in their data at will. While this is the case in situations where there is a dedicated structure to manage spatial data and users are appropriately trained, in practice the apparent ease of use of these applications often leads to poor spatial data management practices. In some instances it also leads to a dangerous misuse of that spatial data, sometimes with tragic consequences.
14.2 As has been demonstrated in this report, error and uncertainty are inherent in spatial data. Spatial data managers need to understand the factors that place limitations on the positional accuracy of their spatial data in order to guide their users to the appropriate uses of that data.
14.3 Effective spatial data management to minimise the effects of error and uncertainty requires several factors to be implemented. These are:
14.3.1 Culture Foster and nurture the development of a culture within their organisation that encourages and rewards competence, conscientiousness and assuming ownership for spatial data, while taking action to stamp out the undesirable human factors that affect the quality of spatial data.
14.3.2 Procedures Develop, monitor and enhance appropriate procedures to ensure that data is captured, managed and utilised appropriately and that work is performed consistently.
14.3.3 Quality Assurance Implement appropriate quality assurance procedures to monitor and check that work is performed to the desired standard and that spatial data captured or manipulated is of a suitable quality.
14.3.4 Metadata Implement the appropriate level of Metadata to adequately describe either a complete spatial theme or ideally each individual spatial entity.
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