The radio crackles. “Hey, could you come over here right away and give me line on the wall forms?” a voice asks. “I’ve got 15 people waiting to pour concrete.”

Is there a way to make measuring in the field easier and more accurate? Yes, numerous strategies are used by surveyors to simplify their fieldwork. This column describes a few successful procedures that I have used personally or have heard of others using.

No, not my age … I passed that a few years ago. I’m referring to the number of articles I have written for POB over the years, including this one.

With a little research, I found that the expression "rule of thumb" has been historically recorded since the year 1692 and probably was used decades or even centuries before then. It meant then what it means now: some method or procedure that comes from practice or experience, or a rough and useful principle or method based on experience rather than precisely accurate measures.

Strings were essentially the only method used to maintain the control lines used to construct buildings, bridges, canals, tunnels or highways.

A simple process, but one that requires following exact procedures to obtain accurate results.

This method of layout is quick and accurate and easily used by anyone who can set up an instrument over a point.

Common-sense checks of construction layout.

It's important to test angle-measuring instruments to make sure they will perform as expected in the field.

One only needs to look back at some of the great American leaders who were surveyors to realize the significance and respect that their surveying skills and knowledge commanded in their lives.