GIS-5100 Module 1: Understanding Suitability Analysis & Getting to know the Weighted Overlay Tool

Week one consisted of two main scenarios, which introduced me to the concept of Suitability and Least-Cost Analysis and topics such as Boolean Suitability in both Vector and Raster, rating locations in Raster, Least Cost Path, and Corridor Analysis, and many more topics related to GIS-focused approaches to Suitability Analysis.  This blog is specific to scenario 2, which put me in a position as a GIS Analyst for a property developer.  The supporting lab was quite involved with approximately 15 defined deliverables (30 deliverable for the entire Module).  I really liked learning about the various types of GIS-based processes and means of creating a workflow to model a real-world system to meet the needs of a stakeholder, Land Developer Firm. ( hmmm, sounds like project management terminology).

What followed next before cracking open ArcGIS-Pro was the creation of basic project management artifacts.  We did not formally define a scope statement, requirements document, Charter, or project management plan (PMP), but it sure felt like it when we stated a problem, goal, objectives, processes, and deliverables such as services and map products.  It's so vital to have a well-defined plan.  See a portion of the example project plan I created below.

Problem: Where are suitable locations for future Site Developments within the boundary of Land Tract?
Goal: Create a suitability model to identify the best locations for future planned urban development.
Objectives: Various items here defining the input requirements to model the desired outcomes
Workflow: See image below as an example of the partial workflow of preparing the geographic data by geoprocessing tools to support further types of analysis responsible to reach and meet the desired outcomes of stakeholders.

Analysis:
The map below is the result of modeling a system using an Esri Weighted Overlay approach of suitability analysis, which involved the use of ArcGIS Pro 2.4.0.  I definitely had a full plate this week with getting through the Lecture material, four different lab scenarios, thirty Lab deliverables, and learning how to use the Weight Overlay Tool, but it was well worth the effort and learning pains!
What's really nice about the Weighted Overlay Tools is that by adding or subtracting layers in conjunction with setting an influence/importance level to each layer, the model can generate a totally different outcome for Stakeholders to consider and make better strategic business decisions.

This week Learned Outcomes:
▪ Perform suitability analysis using both vector and raster analysis tools
▪ Prepare data for use in suitability workflows
▪ Compare different approaches to suitability analysis, including Boolean and Weighted scoring
▪ Compare vector and raster tools to complete specific steps in the suitability analysis
▪ Adjust specific parameters employed in suitability analysis, such as scoring and weighting
▪ Perform least-cost path and corridor analysis using cost surfaces
▪ Prepare elevation, land cover, and other data for use in the least-cost path and corridor analysis
▪ Create cost surfaces based on a variety of input data
▪ Interpret the results of the least-cost path and corridor analysis
▪ Adjust specific parameters employed in the least-cost path and corridor analysis

In Conclusion
This week involved tasks and activities in constructing an informal Project Management Plan, which defined end deliverables via a problem, purpose, and objectives as described by stakeholders and subject matter experts.  I spent quite some time using ArcGIS Pro, Model Builder, and overlaying several rasters and applying a common measurement scale and weights each according to its defined importance for best future Site development endeavors.