In the implementation of weed management projects, there is a need to work within the constraints of project funding and time limits to balance pre-management documentation with treatment and post-treatment monitoring. Balancing among these three needs requires a clear identification of the pre-management information needs. The information needs will vary among projects; however, there is a common set of issues that must be addressed for all weed management projects. Therefore, a checklist of factors to consider is more appropriate for the specification of baseline surveys than a fixed format.

• There is a minimum level of data quality required for each data use. For optimum utility of data, the quality of the data should match the use.
• Data collection should be designed according to sound statistical practices (e.g., adequate sample size, stratified sampling, scientific controls in experiments).
• Efficiency is a high priority. A minimum of resources should be invested to obtain the information needed to resolve questions and make decisions.

Data needs arise from the drivers- the regulatory requirements and project deliverables- that apply to a given project.

• Management Planning
  • Size of infestion (e.g. biomass estimate for disposal cost estimate)
• CEQA
  • Driven by type of analysis and agency policy- for a more detailed protocol see the Sensitive Species Survey Protocol.
• Change Data: for effectiveness analysis, project deliverables
  • Density change (e.g. biomass, stems per unit area);
  • Spatial change (e.g. area or linear dimension of infestation)
  • For further issues, see the Monitoring Specifications.
• Project Type or Components
  • research
  • demonstration
  • ongoing-implementation
• WMA-wide Analysis and Planning
  • site or landscape data for Predictive Spatial Analysis
  • Impact Analysis