Observations and findings

A site observation records when a person inspected a location, the observation type, a measured value, its unit and notes. It refers directly to the site. The surveyor can use this record for scouting and repeat measurements during a cycle, while the manager can compare observations over time at that location. Keep the unit beside the value; a number without its unit is hard to interpret in a later review.

A finding has a different purpose. It is linked to a restoration cycle and records a quantity, unit, condition and date. It also names the person who accepted it. The reviewer checks that the cycle exists and the quantity is a genuine, nonnegative measurement before acceptance. An observation estimate does not automatically become a finding. This distinction helps a manager understand what was noted in the field and what has passed review for the cycle.

• Scouting. Capture dated site observations with their type, value, unit and notes.
• Cycle evidence. Record findings against a specific restoration cycle.
• Acceptance. Name the reviewer after checking date, quantity, unit and condition.

Define the observation types and units your team uses, and describe how a surveyor handles an unreadable or missing measurement. Agree what condition text means for each finding type. Choose who may accept a finding and ensure the person’s record is tied to a user account. A reviewer should inspect the live finding and its linked cycle at decision time, not an older copy sent in a notification.

Discuss how corrections are handled after a finding was accepted. The team needs to retain an understandable account of the original measurement and review, especially when a later site visit changes the interpretation. Keep scouting records associated with the site; the reviewer can read them for context while using the finding’s own quantity as the accepted measure.

At Willow Bend, a surveyor records a scouting observation with a measured value and unit, a date and a short note about conditions. After the autumn cycle’s field work, the team records a finding against that cycle with its own recorded date, quantity, unit and condition. The finding reviewer checks the linked cycle and compares the entry with field context. The accepted finding names that reviewer. When the manager reviews cycle close, the accepted quantity comes from the finding, while the earlier observation remains available to explain what the team saw.

• Dated Site Observations — Scouting measures dated through today, with notes by location.
• Dated Cycle Findings — Dated cycle measurements with condition and reviewer.
• Current Restoration Cycles — The work context for each finding.

Follow the finding review and site survey.