ArcGIS Field Maps for Development Project Site Monitoring Training Course

Course Introduction

The ArcGIS Field Maps for Development Project Site Monitoring Training Course provides practical knowledge and skills for using mobile GIS technology to monitor project activities, inspect implementation sites, document field observations, and strengthen the quality of programme reporting. Development projects often operate across multiple communities and geographically dispersed locations, making it difficult to maintain timely, consistent, and verifiable information about implementation progress. This course demonstrates how ArcGIS Field Maps can help project teams connect geographic information with structured field records, photographs, inspection results, and GPS coordinates to improve operational oversight and evidence-based decision-making.

Participants will learn how ArcGIS Field Maps works within the broader ArcGIS environment, including the preparation of web maps, configuration of editable feature layers, creation of mobile data collection forms, and deployment of maps to field teams. The training introduces the relationship between ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise, Field Maps Designer, the Field Maps mobile application, and supporting GIS data services. Participants will explore how to organize project sites, facilities, infrastructure assets, implementation locations, and monitoring observations into a coherent mapping workflow. Emphasis is placed on understanding the data requirements, user permissions, device capabilities, and organizational arrangements needed to deploy a reliable field monitoring solution.

A major component of the programme focuses on designing effective mobile forms for routine project site inspections. Participants will learn how to capture site identifiers, project activities, implementation status, progress against milestones, construction quality observations, environmental and social safeguards, issues requiring follow-up, and agreed corrective actions. The course examines form design principles, required fields, drop-down lists, default values, conditional questions where supported, attachment collection, and validation rules. Through practical exercises, participants will learn to improve the completeness and consistency of field records, reduce avoidable data-entry errors, and standardize inspection procedures across teams, locations, contractors, and implementation partners.

The course also develops practical skills in GPS-based site documentation and field data quality assurance. Participants will practise locating project sites on digital maps, capturing new geographic features, updating existing records, recording observations at the correct location, and reviewing location accuracy before submission. The programme introduces the use of device-based positioning and compatible high-accuracy GNSS receivers where project requirements justify their use. Participants will examine common sources of positional error, including poor satellite visibility, obstructed environments, incorrect coordinate reference systems, and inaccurate site reference data. They will learn how to establish quality checks that help ensure site observations are geographically reliable and suitable for subsequent analysis and reporting.

Recognizing that development projects frequently operate in remote or connectivity-constrained environments, the course covers offline map preparation, field data synchronization, and the management of unsent edits. Participants will learn how to prepare suitable map areas, download required data, collect observations without a reliable internet connection, and synchronize changes when connectivity becomes available. The training also explores the use of photographs, location information, inspection histories, and task coordination to support follow-up on implementation problems. Practical attention is given to device readiness, storage limitations, synchronization conflicts, user permissions, and contingency procedures that can help field teams maintain continuity during challenging field operations.

The final component focuses on translating mobile field observations into actionable project management information. Participants will learn how to review collected records, identify overdue inspections, flag implementation delays, monitor corrective actions, and share verified field information with relevant stakeholders. The course addresses responsible data handling, access permissions, privacy considerations, photographic evidence management, and appropriate sharing of sensitive project locations. By the end of the programme, participants will be able to design and implement a structured ArcGIS Field Maps workflow that connects site monitoring activities with project reporting, quality assurance, accountability, and continuous improvement across development programmes.

Duration

5 days

Who Should Attend

• Project managers responsible for monitoring implementation progress, verifying field activities, and improving oversight of geographically distributed development projects.

• Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) officers seeking to strengthen location-based monitoring, verification, and evidence collection.

• Field monitoring officers conducting routine site visits, project inspections, infrastructure assessments, and implementation progress reviews.

• GIS officers and mapping specialists responsible for configuring project maps, maintaining geographic datasets, and supporting mobile data collection.

• Infrastructure and construction supervisors monitoring building works, roads, water systems, sanitation facilities, and other development assets.

• Programme coordinators overseeing project activities across multiple districts, counties, communities, or implementation locations.

• Field engineers and technical officers who document site conditions, construction milestones, defects, and remedial actions.

• Environmental and social safeguards officers monitoring compliance, mitigation measures, community impacts, and site-level risks.

• NGO and development organization staff coordinating field implementation, partner monitoring, community services, and donor-funded activities.

• Information management officers responsible for organizing project records, maintaining GIS layers, and integrating field observations into reporting systems.

• Data collectors and field enumerators who need standardized procedures for capturing geographic coordinates, photographs, inspection details, and site updates.

• Quality assurance personnel responsible for verifying field evidence, identifying reporting inconsistencies, and reviewing implementation standards.

• Water, sanitation, health, education, agriculture, and livelihoods practitioners who monitor geographically dispersed project facilities and community interventions.

• Project reporting officers who prepare progress reports, site verification summaries, implementation dashboards, and supporting documentation.

• Digital transformation specialists introducing mobile data collection and location-based workflows into project management operations.

• Consultants and technical advisers supporting GIS implementation, project monitoring system design, field verification, and data quality improvement.

• Government officials responsible for monitoring public investment projects, service infrastructure, and community development initiatives.

• Procurement and contract management personnel who need reliable geographic records of delivery locations, work progress, and inspection outcomes.

• Operations managers coordinating field teams, inspection schedules, issue escalation, and corrective-action tracking.

• Beginners in mobile GIS who want practical skills in configuring and using ArcGIS Field Maps for structured project site monitoring.

Course Objectives

• Explain the ArcGIS Field Maps environment and its relationship with ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise, web maps, feature layers, mobile forms, and supporting GIS services.

• Configure project site maps containing appropriate geographic layers, site identifiers, attributes, symbology, labels, pop-ups, and access permissions for field monitoring teams.

• Design standardized mobile inspection forms that capture project progress, site conditions, implementation issues, photographic evidence, and corrective actions using suitable validation rules.

• Apply GPS-based data collection techniques to record accurate site locations, update existing geographic features, and assess positioning limitations under different field conditions.

• Prepare maps and data layers for offline use, conduct field inspections without reliable connectivity, and synchronize collected observations while maintaining data integrity.

• Establish quality assurance procedures for reviewing incomplete records, invalid coordinates, duplicate submissions, inconsistent status values, and insufficient supporting evidence.

• Configure and use appropriate task and follow-up workflows to coordinate field inspections, communicate assignments, and document the resolution of implementation problems.

• Integrate field observations into wider project monitoring and reporting workflows, supporting progress verification, management reviews, quality control, and evidence-based decisions.

• Apply appropriate data protection, information security, user access, and photographic evidence management practices when collecting and sharing sensitive project information.

• Develop a practical implementation plan for deploying ArcGIS Field Maps in a development project, including roles, devices, data requirements, staff training, performance indicators, and maintenance arrangements.

Comprehensive Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to ArcGIS Field Maps for Project Monitoring

• Explain the role of mobile GIS in development project monitoring, site verification, infrastructure inspections, field coordination, and evidence-based implementation management.

• Explore the ArcGIS Field Maps mobile application and Field Maps Designer, including their relationship with ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise.

• Identify suitable project monitoring use cases, such as construction progress verification, facility inspections, community project monitoring, and environmental compliance checks.

• Define a site monitoring workflow with clear objectives, user roles, data requirements, inspection frequency, reporting outputs, and criteria for successful implementation.

Module 2: Preparing Project Maps and Geographic Data

• Organize project site locations, administrative boundaries, roads, facilities, implementation areas, and other relevant spatial datasets for mobile field use.

• Create or configure web maps with appropriate layers, symbology, labels, pop-ups, map extents, and reference information to support efficient site navigation.

• Configure editable feature layers with suitable attribute fields, unique site identifiers, status values, and required data relationships.

• Apply quality checks to geographic data by reviewing coordinate accuracy, duplicate site records, missing attributes, geometry validity, and consistency with project reference information.

Module 3: Designing Mobile Data Collection Forms

• Design site inspection forms that capture project identifiers, inspection dates, implementation progress, observed conditions, responsible parties, and recommended actions.

• Configure appropriate field types, required responses, default values, coded-value lists, and validation rules to improve consistency and reduce data-entry errors.

• Apply conditional form behaviour and context-sensitive questions where supported by the configured form environment and organizational requirements.

• Establish clear procedures for attaching photographs, recording supporting observations, documenting exceptions, and distinguishing verified findings from unconfirmed reports.

Module 4: GPS-Based Site Monitoring and Field Data Capture

• Use mobile map navigation, device location, map search, and location targets to identify project sites and capture new monitoring observations.

• Record point, line, or polygon features where appropriate for project infrastructure, work areas, service facilities, and geographic implementation boundaries.

• Examine positioning accuracy, satellite reception, environmental obstructions, and the suitability of device GPS compared with compatible high-accuracy GNSS equipment.

• Practise creating and updating site records, reviewing feature locations, correcting positioning errors, and confirming that observations correspond to the intended project site.

Module 5: Offline Mapping and Field Data Synchronization

• Configure maps, layers, basemaps, and map areas for offline use according to connectivity conditions, storage capacity, and project monitoring requirements.

• Download field maps and confirm that the required geographic information and editable data are available before travelling to remote project locations.

• Collect new observations and update existing records while disconnected, following documented procedures for saving edits and retaining supporting attachments.

• Synchronize field updates when connectivity returns and troubleshoot common problems involving unavailable services, permissions, incomplete downloads, and conflicting edits.

Module 6: Site Inspections, Quality Assurance, and Corrective Actions

• Develop standardized inspection procedures for recording physical progress, service functionality, construction quality, safeguard compliance, and implementation milestones.

• Establish data validation checks for missing fields, contradictory status selections, invalid dates, duplicate inspections, and insufficient photographic evidence.

• Document non-compliance, delays, defects, and other implementation issues with clear descriptions, responsible parties, proposed actions, and follow-up dates.

• Review inspection histories and verification records to confirm whether corrective actions have been completed and whether further site visits are required.

Module 7: Task Coordination and Field Team Management

• Examine task and assignment workflows for coordinating site visits, distributing monitoring responsibilities, and communicating required field activities.

• Configure appropriate task information, location references, instructions, status tracking, and completion evidence using supported ArcGIS capabilities.

• Establish procedures for assigning work to field personnel, escalating urgent issues, reviewing completed inspections, and following up on overdue activities.

• Apply appropriate location-sharing and team coordination practices while respecting staff privacy, organizational policies, permissions, and operational safety requirements.

Module 8: Data Review, Reporting, and Integration

• Review collected site observations through attribute tables, map-based inspection, filters, and other available ArcGIS tools for monitoring and quality control.

• Summarize project progress using indicators such as inspections completed, sites visited, milestones verified, issues recorded, and corrective actions resolved.

• Connect field records to appropriate ArcGIS reporting tools and organizational workflows to support dashboards, management summaries, and project performance reviews.

• Establish repeatable procedures for data validation, reporting cut-off dates, change tracking, and reconciliation between field observations and formal project records.

Module 9: Data Governance, Security, and Responsible Field Monitoring

• Configure map sharing, user roles, editing privileges, and access permissions to ensure that field personnel can access only the information required for their responsibilities.

• Apply appropriate safeguards to site photographs, personal information, sensitive infrastructure locations, beneficiary details, and other confidential project records.

• Establish procedures for device security, account protection, secure synchronization, retention of field evidence, and reporting suspected data incidents.

• Document monitoring protocols, data definitions, quality standards, information-sharing arrangements, and responsibilities for maintaining reliable and accountable field records.

Module 10: Practical Project and Implementation Planning

• Develop a sample project monitoring map with site locations, relevant reference layers, inspection attributes, and a standardized mobile form.

• Conduct a simulated site inspection by capturing geographic information, recording progress, attaching supporting evidence, and documenting implementation issues.

• Test offline collection and synchronization, then review the resulting records for completeness, geographic accuracy, consistency, and compliance with the monitoring protocol.

• Prepare an implementation roadmap covering system configuration, staff roles, device readiness, field procedures, quality assurance, reporting requirements, and continuous improvement.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue 

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group (at a discount of 10% to 50%) at requested location all over the world. The Onsite course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, buffet lunch, airport transfers, Upskill gift package, and guided tour.

Visa application, travel expenses, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808

Terms of Payment:

Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.