How to Extract Time-series Information

ACME Groundwater Works Systems

(See:  Groundwater Glossary of terms if you have questions)

NOTE:  All links in this document are not active.

Purpose

To extract time series information in test, csv or Excel format.  The data may include telemetered and data-logger information on water level, water pressure, water flow and the water temperature of bores and include information from multiple bores.  

The ultimate purpose is to extract data that can be used to produce a hydrograph for analysis.

You can use this to extract historic usage of readings by point, day and hourly.  GWCSV will satisfy most queries.  Only use HYCSV if you require more granular details.

•         GWCSV – typical, most used by Hydrogeologists to extract information required (in depth below measuring point and needs to be converted to depth below ground level (BGL).

•         HYCSV – presents the same information, but in a more granular form (used infrequently).

Introduction (Background, preparation)

A list of groundwater numbers of interest.

Procedure for GWCSV

Enter Hydstra (if you have not been authorised to access Hydstra, contact your Supervisor).  Also refer to QRG – ‘Introduction to WaterNSW Groundwater Systems’ (link to QRG)

1.       Click on the Link:  Citrix link to water tables

2.       Enter your Username and Password

3.       Click on ACME icon on the desktop

4.       Navigate the first screen to GWCSV

5.       Enter GW#(s) - groundwater numbers into ‘Site List’ field

CAUTION:  If you click OK, you must allow the program to complete the report.  DO NOT CLICK CANCEL once the report is running.

Procedure for HYCSV

Use HYCSV if you need pressure level data and/ or surface level water.  It will extract time series data in a much more granular report than GWCSV and let you know if there is a data logger installed.

NOTE:  some data loggers must be meter read by a CFO, while some send back information electronically. 

Search for HYCSV under ‘Most Used Programs”. 

1.       The ‘TS data Source = A = Archive

2.       Hole if you select 0 = all

3.       Pipe if you select all

4.       Select a date range with/start and date required

5.       Click output and choose the way you want the data to be presented

6.       The default is Excel change if required

Find HYCSV under 'Most Used Programs'.  Double click on HYCSV:

HYCSV gives you many more options – it has many more details (but not used much), however, it does tell you when a datalogger has been installed in a bore.  Use Point and the others only if it is a MONITORED bore

•         Daily – more granulated

•         Hourly – even more granulated

•         If there’s only one

•         You can tell if they’ve put in a datalogger. 

HYCSV – when you hit ‘run’ another window opens.  Once it opens, let it run.  Do not hit cancel.

Once the data is ported to Excel, it appears like this:

Label the file and it will be available for further analysis.

Procedure for Telemetered Data

Telemetered data is live information that can only be extracted if the data logger is manual. 

Go to:  www.acmerealtimewatertables.com

It is a quick way to extract real-time data but is only used for bores connected to the WaterNSW network.  To use the online live data on the website:

•         Select the period/ output to receive the latest readings. 

•         Quality code 5 = 130

This database is ultimately used to support the customer’s experience when they have a specific inquiry about one of their bores.  It provides an historic usage of readings point/ day/ hour

WAS – Water usage is used to ascertain if a customer has used any water – water usage data confirmation list of extractions.  There’s no water usage data in Acme Water System

yWAS is only used by customers – they can only see their own details regarding their own water usage.

Work Instruction – Add a hyperlink to word(s) in a document

 If you wish to add a hyperlink to a word in a document, here's how:

      1. Select the word(s) you want to link to. (This illustration will link to: ‘the chrysanthemum’)    

     2. Have the hyperlink to the website (or other information) you wish to link to at hand:

(In this illustration I’ve used the link to an Amazon promotion for some good espionage novels.

NOTE:  The link can be short or long (like the one below). 

    3. Select the entire link (be careful not to leave off any of the characters).  I've chosen a very long one to illustrate how beneficial it is to use this method.

https://www.amazon.com.au/hz/mobile/mission/?_encoding=UTF8&p=F0jp%2ByWsM8x0tnPrtIhgexYict0%2BmH8CriYjU0ALsA03NYSt2x%2Bxt9jYIBn5NOB8GEW7gU63CQTCbfwdvM%2FmSMfcjCymqa%2FVosvAx%2BG%2BEvmcj2RA8o4zwqQU1BThUGuhTNoDJzNK7QbGWUy%2BIObeGPjrhj3X0cOFNwJvbCAhRza1CAPWJqyuxKTWzL7jomL5x65gx%2FqxffW1%2Bm7s4z5agho%2Bd6VFH8IylY6WevAuFEwFvPjmqe1BB63zKDNyFvwIRw7C%2BpFfLXaL%2F%2FAKoAdYWkTP94yW%2F99Yb8tbQnU6sxWPj5GkkRh2Kbl5KFF8n%2BWLX2uU9D9h2gH1usPNLwypYKzQRznHYJgimH2egfSgp294XVqOk8BCgyqcP%2FvxDxASk19hNhD2sj7V63rmVUnoHdRAKVQGWJzNNd0PV%2BY1ZBA%3D&pd_rd_w=PpkqZ&content-id=amzn1.sym.0f8ee610-b659-4aa7-823c-064f1a0971f3%3Aamzn1.symc.79c255d6-0688-4760-bc39-1cacf7968323&pf_rd_p=0f8ee610-b659-4aa7-823c-064f1a0971f3&pf_rd_r=NEKSS01EVP93XX7P68FD&pd_rd_wg=7KuNo&pd_rd_r=1177a138-2866-47e9-871d-034540a308d2&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m

     4. Once highlighted, move the cursor into the highlighted link itself, and click the right mouse button.

     5. Select ‘Copy’ to copy. This will ‘hold the link’ in your mouse.

    6. Move your cursor into the word(s) to highlight (the chrysanthemum). 

    7. Hold and keep holding down the left mouse button.  Put your cursor on the first letter of the word(s) and carefully drag the cursor over all the word(s) you wish the link to be embedded in (‘the chrysanthemum’)

   8. Once the words are highlighted, place your cursor on these highlighted words and click the right mouse button.  A new window will open.

    9. Select ‘Link’ from the pop-up menu and a new window will appear.

       10. Place your cursor in the ‘Address:’ field and right click the mouse button and select ‘Paste’ to copy the link (held in your mouse) into the field.

      11.   Click OK. 

      12.  The words should now be in blue and underlined.  (this is not linked, just in blue and underlined as an example).

      13.  It is always good to test the link in the word(s) in the document to ensure it leads to the correct page or website.

NOTE:  Sometimes a page or website location changes in time. If a document will be used for a long time, testing it works at least annually is advisable.

Levels of Quality Organisational Document Management

Recently, I was asked to define what goes into each level of a document management strategy to ensure a quality result.

Levels of documents range from:

•  the high-level overview of the organisation document management policy
• to increasingly detailed and specific requirement for the way an organisation operates (such as where organisations are dispersed into different geographic locations, languages, or operational focus).  

Although the levels below are my general suggestions, there is, as of yet, no formal standard for document levels.  Each organisation will tailor their levels as is appropriate for their requirements.

Level	What may go into it
Level 1	POLICY - the over-arching, document policy that outlines the organisation’s commitment to the management and storage of information      FRAMEWORK - frameworks and manuals that provide an actionable overview of how the policy will unfold within the organisation.
Level 2	PROCESSES - visual illustrations of how work activity takes place internally (within departments, within office locations)     PROCEDURES - source process work flows to 'flesh out' the directions illustrated by departmental or overall, workflow process instructions and procedures that provide detailed instructions on how to perform specific tasks or processe       REPORTS, records and databases that substantiate use and effectiveness of the document management strategy.
Level 3	Work instructions for individual tasks that provide step-by-step instructions on how to perform specific tasks.
Standard Forms	Templates - blank, branded, pre-formatted forms used as the base for the way information is organised in any of the documents.   Templates standardise what must be included, how it is presented, who authorises/ signs off the document and how frequently it must be reviewed and updated.
Level 4	Process maps used to document, analyse and improve business processes - typically they have three levels: ·       Level 1: Process workflow charts ·       Level 2: Process maps ·       Level 3: Work instructions
Level 5	Standard operating procedures (SOPs) Process automation Training documents

 

Resources

·       BABOK

·       The ISO (International Organization for Standardization) defines three levels of documents in a Quality Management System (QMS)

·       18+ ways to manage your documents like a boss

Balancing Innovation with Accuracy or the Einstein Tile

How do you (or can you) balance innovation with accuracy? 

My first thought is that this is a much like mixing oil with water –  they won’t mix. 

The process of innovation/ creativity is often mistaken for chaos and disorder (which is often a first step in discovering something new), whereas accuracy is more about purity and clarity. 

Initially, chaos doesn’t fit into the concept of accuracy.

·       Accuracy = the state of being absolutely correct and making no mistakes, especially through focused and careful effort. To be accurate, correct, making no mistakes, agreeing exactly with the truth or a standard (performed with care).

·       Innovation = something new that is introduced – an idea or method.  To innovate – to make changes to what is, to introduce new ideas, methods (to renew).

Therefore, you innovate ‘away’ from accuracy to create a new way of seeing something.  For innovation to occur it is important that whatever the ‘it’ is can be freed at the start from any measures of accuracy. 

Once created, the new thing could, perhaps, have measures of accuracy attached to it:  ‘This is what the new thing is like/ looks like, etc.’, and ‘this is what it is not like’. 

You apply the measures AFTER the innovation is identified.  

Here is a brilliant example of something very new in mathematics.

The Einstein Tile

This is the new, thirteen-sided non-repeatable mathematical pattern.

The identification and codification of what is and what is not a complete Einstein Tile, happens once the seeming randomness of the discover settles into something that can be repeatedly seen and thus, be defined.  

Once defined it can be ‘measured’ to be accurate or not.

Well that is my thinking on the topic and would welcome other thoughts.

Here's a link to an article about Einstein Tile:

https://www.livescience.com/newly-discovered-einstein-tile-is-a-13-sided-shape-that-solves-a-decades-old-math-problem

9 Pricing Strategies to the ‘Sweet Spot’ of Your Writing Success 

Have you noticed that almost everyone who has a laptop and can type has a secret perception that writing is easy and therefore it should not cost much?  

When you decide to launch your writing career (whether you have your own business or work within an organisation), one of the most difficult challenges you face is the commercial valuing of your work.   

There is a practical necessity -- no matter how long you’ve been in the writing business -- to initially and regularly examine your pricing strategy to ensure you are balancing your efforts with what you are charging.   

Your pricing will and should change over time as your experience and confidence grows, and in response to the current market.  Here are some practical guidelines for pricing you may find helpful.     

Strategy = A plan to create value 

Many believe strategy is a mystical exercise about some airy-fairy concepts and lateral-thinking creativity ...but strategy is practical and focused squarely on bringing delight to your audience and your customers/ clients.   

Customer’s Delight	Writer’s Delight
the difference between the:  willingness and ability to pay  quality and suitability of the writing   and the price.	the difference between the:  extent of your labour and the compensation you must meet for your labour. - profit to sustain your dream
Willingness to buy	Willingness to sell

Here are some components that need to be considered when you begin to create your pricing strategy. 

1. Scope  

2. 
   

In my experience, scoping every writing project as accurately as possible is a major key.  (See my previous STC article on how to scope a project BEFORE you begin working).  Obviously, the ‘bigger’ the project the higher the cost.  Bigger could mean number of words/ pages, having to start from just a title and do all the research, working with someone who is difficult, etc.   

It could mean how complicated the project is due to the number of subject matter experts or people whose opinions must be satisfied or sought out.  It could mean an obscure topic that will take heaps of research where there is little information or material available.   

You get the picture.  No matter what, never begin writing until you have a clear scope of the work defined (and the contract signed, including agreement on payment amount and terms). 

2. A ‘pricing history framework’ 

3. 
   

When you set up a ‘pricing history framework’ it will provide you with an historical record of projects you’ve completed, the time it took to complete each one and the pricing strategy you used. 

This can be a simple Excel spreadsheet or even a Word table, where you list your projects across one axis of the spreadsheet and list relevant details down the other access.  Here are the specifics I have found helpful to track.   

1. - Date started   

2. - Date completed  

3. - Type of writing (researching and writing to a topic, editing something already written, etc.) 

4. - Category of project (manual, work instruction, user stories, etc.) 

5. - Industry of project (medical, engineering, IT, etc. 

6. - Number of pages/ words 

7. - Unique requirements (tight deadline, extra research, interviewing) 

8. - Pricing strategy used and if the client paid as agreed 

9. - Comments (leave enough space to describe any unique requirements as these are usually contributors to the work).  

10. 
    

NOTE:  You may have others details you believe are valuable to track.  It would be great if you could share them by commenting on this article.     

Having a set of parameters gives you the opportunity to compare your projects in a balanced and factual way.  When a new client approaches with a unique project it will provide you with confidence and ideas of how to price new work accurately.   

Additionally, this database will help you identify what has worked well in pricing and what needs to be strengthened.   

3. Deadlines 

4. 
   

Time can be a challenging master.  You must ensure this component is factored into your client agreement/ contract.  We’ve all faced the ‘we must have this 90-page document by the end of the two business days’ projects and it is not fun and in my experience, you never get paid fairly under these circumstances.   

A project with a tight deadline means you have to move your other work around to accommodate it or lose sleep or friends to complete it, and sometimes compromise quality.   

It is alright to just say ‘No’ and your client will respect you for not being too easy.  However, if you are desperate for funds or if the work is for your favourite client (who always pays on time) it may be worth the extra effort.  Typically, it just leads to cutting corners and annoying others waiting their turn for your services.   

Rule of thumb: the quicker they need it the more you should charge.  The worst thing you can do is ‘train up your client’s or your bosses expectations for the impossible’.  They will come to expect it every time!   

4. Experience  

5. 
   

You earn experience with every article or manual or procedure you write.  How much have you written in the past?  Not how much time have you studied writing, but how much actual writing experience do you have.   

Consider routinely asking your clients for testimonials about how satisfied they are with your writing.  I’m not talking about four or five stars or some senseless NPR type of rating.  Ask your clients to write out their thoughts and ask them for permission to use their words in your marketing efforts.   

Hint:  Having testimonials from satisfied customers is a personal cure for the blues.  When everything seems impossible and you wonder which end of a pen to pick up, this personal ‘brag book’ that you can pull out and encourage yourself when the world turns foul.   

Authentic testimonials are invaluable.  Don’t be embarrassed to ask someone to write how they experienced your skills and customer service approach.  This gives you proof of your experience.   

Typically fledgling writers tend to err on one of two extremes when it comes to promoting their experience: 

• - To ‘apologise price’ the work too low 

• - To ‘over-confidently price’ the work too high 

• 
  

5. Expertise 

6. 
   

Different to experience.  Niche expertise means your specialty area. For example:   IT, engineering, legal, medical or knowledge management.   

You can narrowly specialise or provide a variety of strong areas across a range of areas. 

• - What type of document writing have you done?   

• - What do you love writing about?   

• - Are you good at research and analysis?   

• - Do you understand the neutral power of writing policy, frameworks, processes, procedures, proposals, how to guides, work instructions, written direction, user manuals, training programs and aids, e-learning, reports, articles and presentations.   

• - Are you familiar with ISO standards?   

• - What about legal, compliance with regulations?   

• - Are you good with project management? 

• - Do you have knowledge of or a hunger to learn more about IT, engineering, legal, medical, transportation, aerospace or incident management? 

• 
  

Software tools 

What software tools are you proficient or expert with?  Microsoft™ applications (including Visio, Teams and SharePoint) Confluence, ARK, JIRA, Trim, Information Mapping, ServiceNow?  There are heaps of places to hone your skills and you never know when a unique tool will land you new work.  

For example, have a friend who specialises in knowing everything about using PowerPoint for all sorts of applications and she is always busy! 

‘Plain English’? 

There is nothing more important than the translation work today’s technical writers can offer.  Translating complicated information into useable reading material is a rare gift.   

6. The relationship potential 

7. 
   

Some are customers and some are clients and some are life-time ‘partners’ in your success.  It takes some time to develop someone who just wants something written quickly and for just one time only from those who want a long-term relationship. 

Obviously, the desire is to have a few, reliable clients who are easy to work with and who pay on time.  Always ask a new client how much potential work they might have.   

Example 

I am presently working with someone who initially just wanted me to check the spelling and grammar in a book he had written.  A year later and I’ve completed five more books (full editing, formatting, publishing and promotion (plus he has just added designing marketing collateral and a web site).  But it would not have happened if I hadn’t asked him about the volume of work he might wish to work through.  We developed a good working relationship built on trust and honourable pricing.   

Retainer 

Also, consider proposing a retainer for someone who may have a few articles to write.  Many organisations are looking for someone to write articles for their blog.  If you can work out a fair retainer structure of, say $500 a month for a limited number of articles of a specific length and any extra articles or work at $50 per hour in addition to the retainer. 

7. Portfolio potential  

8. 
   

How much prestige will this client add to your potential.  Your first few clients will help you establish your writing business and help you realise the challenges of writing (part-time or full-time) before you have the luxury to think about the potential of adding someone significant to your client list. 

It’s a good idea to write down a ‘Wish list’ of people you would enjoy writing for because they have a name that is recognised by others.  This could be a government official, someone in the news, a local leader, an expert in their field that people know about.  Then consider ways to market yourself to them. 

A ‘stable’ of known experts that you are writing for will help you get even more clients.  Eventually, you may be able to pass on other clients to a colleague or take a partner into your business. 

8. Fulfilment  

9. 
   

No, I don’t mean finishing the work and shipping it off, I’m talking about feeding your heart with the joy of knowing you have enjoyed learning about a new topic and/ or writing a beautifully orchestrated document.   

Work is not life and if you don’t enjoy your work, it will hurt you and cause you stress.   

If you are working within an organisation, of course, there may seem to be less opportunity to be less likely to pursue personal fulfilment but strive to because it will prove more important than you realise. 

Ask yourself:   

• - Will I enjoy this project?   

• - Will this client be reasonable to work with and for?   

• - Will this assignment help me advance my own skills. 

• 
  

Fun trumps money every time.  If you’re not excited about a project…you will regret the time, sweat and tears you pour into it.  

 

9. Types of pricing strategies 

10. 
    

Minimal Acceptable Pricing (MAP) must be a ‘win-win’.  Here are some approaches to pricing that you might consider.   

If you work within an organisation, your experience over time should result in reasonable pay increases.  And you can also write part-time to see if you will enjoy writing for a living.     

• Per hour 

• 
  

Did you know a lawyer must log his activity every six minutes!  Well, that is just too much for me.  When writing for an hourly rate, use an hour timer and log progress along the way.  This record of activities (researching, writing, speaking with subject matter experts, etc.) takes time.   

Keeping this log makes it easy to create your invoice.  Always attach a daily record of hours spent.   

Some clients believe this is a more flexible approach and from your side, it is especially beneficial when working with a client who is unsure what they want and require rewrites.  It is not as easy for clients to budget for.  

If you have a ‘pricing history framework’ with data in it, this will help you with an hourly rate.   

If you are just starting out, there are a few ways to set your hourly rate.  Consider the minimum wage in your area and start there.  You can also consider your salary at your last job and do the simple math to divide the amount you earned by the hours you worked.   

Another way is to do an internet search of other writers and consider how you compare with their offerings.  Price shopping the local market is not all that easy but many writers have the confidence to mentor new writers.   

• Per assignment 

• 
  

Scoping and your pricing history framework are critical tools when you price by the assignment.  The more detailed they are, the easier it will be to be accurate with your pricing.  

 

Once you scope the project, apply the pricing framework.  Add three to five percent to your basic, minimum acceptable price to cover unexpected events that will happen as you are writing.  Few projects go smoothly and once you quote a price you are locked in. 

• Per word  

• 
  

Per word is best for short pieces that must be edited to a set number of words or characters, like website content marketing, blog articles and promotional copy.   

As with an hourly rate, use your framework and shop your colleagues.  Writing short pieces is hard work, unless you’ve been practicing this arcane art for a long time.   

It can be a very lucrative but hair-pulling exercise. 

    

• A Package Deal – Annual Contract 

• 
  

When I first started writing, I was afraid I would not be able to pay my monthly bills.  So, I invented my own package deal.   

I offered a set number of articles per month, per year for $500 per month (they had to sign an annual contract.  I was primarily writing 16-page newsletters).   

This approach was attractive to my clients, and it worked very well for me because I always knew how to budget monthly.  Eventually, I added ‘and if you require additional writing after that it is $50 per hour.   

Look over your framework, consider what your basic monthly requirements are and work to meet them as a minimum.  

Bonus! 

Contract! 

Always write out a contract to detail exactly what you will deliver (based on the scoping exercise) and exactly how the costs will be calculated.  This will minimise/ eliminate haggling after the fact. 

Also you can include: 

• - an incentive clause (if you pay within the 15 days the invoice is due, you can save five percent) 

• - or a contingency fee for change orders to cover the possibility that the project takes a turn away from what was originally agreed.   

• - a nuisance fee for clients who live just to give you a headache 

• 
  

Conclusion 

• - Avoid envy and arrogance. 

• - Never be greedy. 

• - There will always be someone who will charge less. 

• - Always give more than you are asked for.  

• 
  

• Love what you do, and the money will never be the key factor!  Conclusion 

Honourable and reputation-building, value-pricing for your writing work will establish you as a professional who is confident in the quality of your work and ensure you grow your business enough to narrow your market to ‘the sweet spot of your success’.