• Surveying is defined as “taking a general view of, by observation and
measurement determining the boundaries, size, position, quantity, condition,
value etc. of land, estates, building, farms mines etc. and finally presenting the
survey data in a suitable form”. This covers the work of the valuation surveyor,
the quantity surveyor, the building surveyor, the mining surveyor and so forth, as
well as the land surveyor.
• Another school of thought define surveying “as the act of making measurement
of the relative position of natural and manmade features on earth’s surface and
the presentation of this information either graphically or numerically.
The process of surveying is therefore in three stages namely:
(i) Taking a general view
This part of the definition is important as it indicates the need to obtain an overall
picture of what is required before any type of survey work is undertaken. In land
surveying, this is achieved during the reconnaissance study.
(ii) Observation and Measurement
This part of the definition denotes the next stage of any survey, which in land
surveying constitutes the measurement to determine the relative position and
sizes of natural and artificial features on the land.
(iii) Presentation of Data:
The data collected in any survey must be presented in a form which allows the
information to be clearly interpreted and understood by others. This presentation
may take the form of written report, bills of quantities, datasheets, drawings and
in land surveying maps and plan showing the features on the land.