Similarly, it is not uncommon for surveyors to visit a survey area numerous times in order to provide the most accurate assessment of the historic resources. A variety of research resources should be utilized for developmental histories. Traditional secondary research resources available at the local library, including local history books, are a good starting point. Eventually, primary resources at a variety of locations should be consulted. Once the field survey is complete, the data gathered must be organized and put into a user-friendly format.
Film needs to be developed and the photographs correlated with the survey forms.
Rarely are the survey forms actually completed out in the field used as final products of the survey project. Typically, after the survey is completed, the data gathered is then entered into a computer software program. Clean forms can be printed out if necessary or the information is just made available online. If the SHPO requires that a certain form be submitted, but the surveyors opted to use a form designed strictly for the survey area, the information gathered out in the field can be transferred to the required forms and printed out for submission or sent electronically. While this does add an extra step to the survey process, the use of a specially designed form can ensure that detailed information is collected for local government planning purposes in addition to SHPO requirements.