What is a potential outcome of poor quality assurance in GIS?

The potential outcome of poor quality assurance in GIS is that decisions are made based on inaccurate data. When quality assurance processes are weak or nonexistent, it leads to the possibility of erroneous information being present in GIS datasets. Inaccurate data can stem from various sources, including data entry errors, outdated information, or incorrect spatial analysis processes. Such inaccuracies can have serious implications for decision-making, as stakeholders may rely on this flawed information to guide their actions, policies, or resource allocations.

For example, if a city planning department makes decisions about infrastructure development based on spatial data that has not been properly validated, this could result in ineffective planning, wasted resources, or even hazardous conditions. Thus, ensuring robust quality assurance measures is critical in GIS to maintain the integrity and reliability of the data used in important decision-making processes.