A computer-implemented visualization tool for establishing a correlation between a wireless mesh network comprised of a plurality of devices and physical space occupied by the wireless mesh network, the visualization tool comprising: a plot plan module that receives as input an image representing the physical space occupied by the wireless mesh network and displays the image to a user; a scale module that receives input from a user representing a scale associated with the physical space defined by the received image, wherein the scale is associated with the physical space defined by the plot plan module; a device module that displays one or more device and receives input indicating a location of each device within the image representing the physical space occupied by the wireless mesh network, the locations dictating a layout of the wireless mesh network with respect to the physical space occupied by the network; a display module that displays the layout of the wireless mesh network with respect to the physical space occupied by the wireless mesh network; a planning parameter module that defines one or more planning parameters, each planning parameter defining a requirement that must be met by the layout of the wireless mesh network, the one or more planning parameters defining maximum communication ranges of devices based on the physical environment in which the device is operation, wherein the one or more planning parameters are automatically selected based on a user selectable reliability level associated with the network; and a validation module that determines based on the scale associated with the physical space and the placement of devices onto the physical space whether the wireless mesh network layout complies with each of the planning parameters, wherein the validation module provides a visual output indicating whether the layout complies with the planning parameters. a plot plan module that receives as input an image representing the physical space occupied by the wireless mesh network and displays the image to a user; a scale module that receives input from a user representing a scale associated with the physical space defined by the received image, wherein the scale is associated with the physical space defined by the plot plan module; a device module that displays one or more device and receives input indicating a location of each device within the image representing the physical space occupied by the wireless mesh network, the locations dictating a layout of the wireless mesh network with respect to the physical space occupied by the network; a display module that displays the layout of the wireless mesh network with respect to the physical space occupied by the wireless mesh network; a planning parameter module that defines one or more planning parameters, each planning parameter defining a requirement that must be met by the layout of the wireless mesh network, the one or more planning parameters defining maximum communication ranges of devices based on the physical environment in which the device is operation, wherein the one or more planning parameters are automatically selected based on a user selectable reliability level associated with the network; and a validation module that determines based on the scale associated with the physical space and the placement of devices onto the physical space whether the wireless mesh network layout complies with each of the planning parameters, wherein the validation module provides a visual output indicating whether the layout complies with the planning parameters. <EOS>