The Conversion of Data to Useful Information

Abstract

As the site characterization has progressed, many of the steps for processing, plotting, checking and interpreting the individual data sets have already been carried out. In addition, the conceptual model has been iteratively improved based upon these various sets of data. At this point we will have a wide range of data from different sources (our own as well as others). Much of this data is in different formats and scales. Now is the time for a final review and fresh look at all of the data when we have it all before us and the rush of fieldwork is over. The large amounts of data, gathered by the site characterization process, by themselves are not that useful. A formidable part of the site characterization process is having engineers, geologists and hydrologists assemble, conduct interpretations and integrate this diverse set of data. The conversion of raw data to useful information is a value-added process, which is achieved by careful professional analyses (Sharma 1994 personal communication). As the raw data is converted to useful information, a conceptual model or models are developed. The ultimate objective of the site characterization is to develop the most accurate conceptual models of site conditions possible within the time and budget constraints of the project. This is done by progressively minimizing the envelope of uncertainties in the interpretation of the data.