Step 1: Concept
The lifecycle of a Geographic Information System (GIS) project involves data collection, management, analysis, and presentation.
Step 2: Meaning
Establishing a reliable foundation of geographic data requires gathering, digitizing, cleaning, and formatting vast amounts of real-world information.
Step 3: Analysis
• Database analysis and presentation rely entirely on existing data and are usually streamlined by software algorithms.
• Database connection is a brief technical step to link software to the data.
• Database creation (or data capture/collection) involves field surveys, digitizing maps, georeferencing, and entering attribute data. Industry standards estimate this phase consumes 60% to 80% of a typical GIS project's total time and budget.
Step 4: Conclusion
Building the initial database is widely recognized as the most resource-intensive phase of GIS.
Final Answer: (A)