For the geospatial surveying profession, that sense of community is one of the defining strengths of The Survey Association (TSA). Established in 1979, TSA continues to support and represent surveying companies across the UK, bringing together businesses, educators, suppliers and industry leaders with a shared goal: advancing the profession and securing its future.

Bringing people together in a community

Surveying is a profession built on precision, expertise and innovation, but it is also powered by people. The opportunity to share experiences, discuss challenges and learn from peers is invaluable in a profession that continues to evolve through emerging technologies, changing client expectations and increasing demands for skilled professionals.

TSA has long recognised the importance of creating opportunities for meaningful collaboration. Through conferences, webinars, stakeholder events and networking opportunities, members gain far more than technical knowledge; they become part of a professional network that encourages growth, innovation and mutual support.

Raising the profile of the Geospatial Surveying community

One of the biggest challenges facing the profession is ensuring that decision-makers, educators and young people fully understand the value that geospatial surveyors bring to the built environment.

From infrastructure and construction projects to environmental management and digital twins, accurate geospatial data underpins informed decision-making. Yet many outside the profession remain unaware of how fundamental surveying is to successful project delivery.

TSA has increasingly focused on raising awareness of the profession and communicating its importance to wider audiences, working with partners, educational institutions and professional bodies. Now, the association is helping to ensure that geospatial surveying receives the recognition it deserves through a national marketing campaign.

Inspiring future talent

Like many sectors, surveying faces an ongoing challenge in attracting the next generation of professionals. Encouraging young people to consider careers in geospatial surveying is essential if the industry is to continue growing and innovating.

The profession offers diverse and rewarding career opportunities, combining technology, problem-solving and real-world impact. Through its support of education, training initiatives and engagement with students, TSA continues to play an important role in helping future surveyors discover the possibilities available within the sector.

More than membership

While practical benefits such as industry guidance, business support, professional development resources and networking opportunities are important, the real value of TSA membership lies in belonging to a collective voice for the profession.

In a rapidly changing world, no business succeeds in isolation. The ability to connect with others, share expertise and work towards common goals has never been more important.

To learn more about becoming a member of The Survey Association, visit: https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/membership/

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The principle behind photogrammetry

If you walked around a building and took digital photos from lots of different angles, each image would capture a slightly different view. Photogrammetry software compares these different images, identifies common features across them, and uses this information to calculate their precise position.

A useful way to think about it is comparing it to how people see the world. Each of our eyes sees a slightly different view and our brain combines them to create depth. Photogrammetry does the same thing, but instead of two images, it might use hundreds or even thousands.

The three key steps involved in the photogrammetry process

While the process is highly technical behind the scenes, it can be broken down into three main stages:

1. Understanding the camera

Before anything else, the software needs to understand how the camera “sees” the world. Every lens introduces small distortions, so the system accounts for these to ensure measurements are accurate. This step is often called camera calibration.

2. Matching images and building the model

Next, the software searches across all the photos to find matching features, points that appear in multiple images.

By linking thousands of these points together, it builds a 3D framework known as a point cloud. This forms the foundation of the final model.

3. Placing it in the real world

Finally, the model is tied to real-world coordinates using surveyed control points.

This step, known as georeferencing, is what turns a visual model into accurate, usable survey data that designers and engineers can rely on.

Why overlap matters in photogrammetry

One of the most important requirements in photogrammetry is image overlap. Each digital photo must share a significant amount of common ground with the next, typically 60-80%. If there isn’t enough overlap, gaps can appear in the data, accuracy is reduced and the final model may be unreliable. So, good data capture is just as important as good processing.

Why this matters for clients

Understanding the basics helps you ask the right questions and ensures you get data you can trust.

The process may happen behind the scenes, but the impact is huge. The quality of the final output depends on professional planning, coverage, and control, not just the software used.

Photogrammetry is now more accessible than ever, but producing reliable, accurate survey results still requires professional expertise.

For detailed guidance on workflows, accuracy, and specifying photogrammetry surveys, download the full client guide from The Survey Association website.

The post How photogrammetry works (without the jargon) appeared first on The Survey Association.

Driving professional excellence

The Survey Association provides a dynamic and forward-thinking community where organisations can collaborate, share expertise, and collectively raise standards across the profession. Membership of TSA demonstrates commitment to quality and signals that your organisation consistently performs to the highest professional standards and adheres to best practice.

Network, collaborate and grow when you join The Survey Association

One of the most valuable aspects of TSA membership is the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals across the geospatial sector. Members enjoy a packed calendar of networking opportunities throughout the year, including:

• Exclusive events at prestigious venues such as Wembley, Twickenham, and Silverstone
• Inspirational guest speakers
• Informal and formal opportunities to build relationships and collaborate

These events are powerful platforms for learning, sharing ideas, and building lasting business connections.

Invest in your team with CPD and training

Continuous professional development is essential in maintaining high standards and keeping pace with change across the construction industry. TSA supports this by offering:

• Access to valuable CPD opportunities
• Discounts at The Survey School, helping to train and develop talent
• Reduced rates on software licences from Leica,Trimble and Topcon
• PI Insurance scheme tailored to TSA members

Membership that fits your organisation

Whether you are a small specialist team, a large surveying firm, or involved in the wider geospatial world, TSA offers a range of membership levels to match your eligibility so you can access the correct category for your business.

Raising the profile of geospatial surveying

At a time when the role of geospatial has never been more important, TSA is leading a national marketing campaign to reposition surveying as a strategic, indispensable function within the construction industry. The campaign champions the value of geospatial surveying and elevates the profession as a whole.

If you want to strengthen your professional credibility, build meaningful connections and support the future of geospatial surveying, find out more about how to join TSA today. https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/about-tsa/contact/

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The conversation should be all about what spatial evidence clients need, in order to make the right decision.  A unified national campaign is underway to help reposition geospatial surveying from a technical support service to a critical evidence-based profession.

Client Guides: a practical resource for professionals and clients

TSA’s Client Guides are not intended to overwhelm with highly technical details, but instead they provide concise, accessible introductions to a wide range of surveying disciplines. If you’re an architect, engineer, planner, project manager or simply a client looking to understand what you need and why, these guides offer a great starting point.

Each guide is carefully structured to answer the questions you’re most likely to ask:

• What is this type of survey?
• When and why is it needed?
• What equipment and techniques are used?
• What regulations or procedures apply?

This practical approach helps demystify surveying, giving you confidence when specifying requirements, managing risk, and engaging with surveying professionals.

A wide range of topics

TSA’s collection of Client Guides reflects the diversity of the geospatial surveying sector. From traditional ground-based methods to cutting-edge technologies, the guides cover subjects including:

• Topographical surveys
• Measured building surveys
• Setting out surveys
• Hydrographic surveys
• Aerial LiDAR
• Photogrammetry

…and many more.

If you’ve already explored our recent blog on photogrammetry, you’ll know how powerful modern surveying methods have become. The full range of TSA Guides reveals how different survey techniques work together to support everything from construction and infrastructure to environmental monitoring and asset management.

Why download a TSA Client Guide?

Reliable information can be difficult and time-consuming to sift through. TSA’s Client Guides offer a trusted shortcut, developed by geospatial experts and grounded in real-world practice.

By downloading a Guide, you can:

• Clarify your project requirements before commissioning work
• Avoid costly misunderstandings by knowing what to expect
• Understand the scope and limitations of different survey methods
• Stay aware of relevant standards and procedures
• Make better, more informed decisions

Whether you’re at the early planning stage or already working on a project, having the right information at your fingertips can make a huge difference.

Designed for easy access

All TSA Client Guides are available as downloadable PDFs, making them easy to access, share, and refer back to whenever you need them. They’re ideal for quick reading but also useful as ongoing reference documents throughout the lifecycle of a project.

If you’ve found value in learning more about photogrammetry, why stop there? There’s a whole library of guidance waiting to be explored. Each guide offers insights into a different aspect of surveying and its role in delivering successful outcomes.

Visit the TSA downloads section and discover the full range of Client Guides

Take a few minutes to browse. You may find exactly the information you didn’t realise you needed.

The Survey Association (TSA) is committed to promoting best practice and improving understanding across the surveying profession. Our Client Guides are just one way we’re helping to bridge the gap between technical expertise and practical application.

Discover TSA’s Client Guides here https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/resources/downloads/

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At TSA, we remain firmly committed to supporting our members and leading efforts to address this issue. Over the past decade, we have played a central role in driving the national response to survey equipment theft, and we are pleased to share positive progress, while recognising there is still a way to go.

Strengthening the national response

Building on almost a decade of evidence gathering with SmartWater/DeterTech, in 2025 TSA started to directly support the work of the National Construction and Agriculture Theft Team (NCATT), a specialist operational police unit established in 2023.

NCATT is unique as the UK’s only fully industry-funded specialist police unit dedicated to tackling Organised Criminal Groups (OCGs) involved in the theft of construction and agricultural equipment. Bringing together officers from across the country with expertise in rural crime and equipment theft, the team is small but highly effective.

In a relatively short time, NCATT has:

• Improved coordination between police forces nationwide
• Enhanced intelligence sharing across regions and sectors
• Delivered operational support and training
• Conducted investigations into high-value machinery theft
• Built strong partnerships with industry and European law enforcement

Importantly, NCATT has been working directly with TSA members, not only supporting individual cases of theft but also helping to unite resources across the UK to actively pursue organised crime gangs.

Real progress with a persistent challenge

There is encouraging news. NCATT and local police teams have achieved record-breaking seizures of stolen equipment, alongside arrests and significant cash recoveries across the UK. These outcomes demonstrate that coordinated, intelligence-led policing is making a real difference.

However, the national and international illicit demand for machinery remains high and continues to drive organised criminal activity, meaning that while enforcement efforts are delivering results, the risk of thefts remains.

A collaborative approach

The work of NCATT highlights the importance of a three-pronged approach:

• Prevention: strengthening security and awareness
• Enforcement: targeting and disrupting organised crime
• Collaboration: sharing intelligence and working together

By focusing on these areas, NCATT plays a critical role in safeguarding our sector, protecting vital infrastructure, and supporting the hardworking businesses that keep projects moving across the UK.

What to do if theft occurs

If you experience theft, acting quickly and following the correct process is essential to maximise the chances of recovery:

1. Report the theft immediately

Report the theft to the police force where the incident occurred. This is critical as only the relevant force can formally investigate and circulate the equipment as stolen on police systems. If your equipment has live tracking and you are not receiving a timely response, contact NCATT immediately.

2. Notify key partners

Email the equipment manufacturer and NCATT via ncatt@northumbria.police.uk to ensure NCATT is aware and can assist and the manufacturer can flag the equipment on their systems. For Leica Geosystems equipment, also notify uk.support@leica-geosystems.com

3. Provide full details

Use the subject line: “Survey Theft Notification” and include:

• Make and model
• Serial number
• Approximate value
• Date of theft
• Location of theft
• Police crime reference number

Please note that online reporting reference numbers cannot be acted upon until a formal crime number is issued by the police.

Moving forward together

While the challenge of survey equipment theft is far from over, the progress being made through collaboration with NCATT is significant and encouraging. By continuing to work together we are building a stronger, more resilient response.

The post Working together to tackle survey equipment theft appeared first on The Survey Association.

At the stakeholder event held at Twickenham as part of last month’s AGM, there was a clear and shared consensus: our profession needs greater visibility, clearer messaging, and a stronger level of public understanding.

The overarching aim of the campaign is to reposition geospatial surveying as a strategic, indispensable function across industry. We need to shift perception from viewing geospatial surveying as a technical trade, to recognising it as a professional consultancy discipline. Surveying should not be seen simply as a cost to a project, but as the strategic foundation upon which everything else is built.

A task force to drive change

Working in collaboration with O agency, we have now established a dedicated Task Force that will shape both the vision and the strategic outputs of the campaign. This group will be responsible for developing a clear 12-month plan that will form the foundation of the initial campaign strategy.

The campaign is to be built across five strategic pillars:

1. Building awareness and visibility
2. Regulations and standards
3. Industry alignment
4. Talent pipeline and education
5. Commercial value shift

To deliver meaningful change, we must influence policy and regulation, drive a shift in procurement behaviour, and build a sustainable and resilient talent pipeline for the future of the profession.

Securing the right level of funding will be critical to the campaign’s success, and the scale of its impact will depend on the level of support received from our members. Encouragingly, we are already in discussions with a number of organisations that are keen to get involved at an early stage, with strong interest and clear intent being demonstrated.

Find out more by attending the presentation by Oliver Viney at GEO Business on 3^rd June at 12:00 on the Surveying & Capture Stage. Please do get in touch if you would like to know more or get behind this campaign.

The post Raising the profile of geospatial surveying: building momentum for change appeared first on The Survey Association.

Across the sector, more clients and client organisations are recognising its value and are actively seeking out TSA to find out more about what the scheme offers.

Why PUMA matters

Geospatial surveying is one of the essential, but often unseen, disciplines behind and under the built environment.  Raising standards in utility surveying, a specialism within geospatial surveying, has never been more important. High-quality, reliable survey data is essential to prioritise safety, improve efficiency, and ultimately save time and money on infrastructure projects.

This was the driving force behind the creation of PUMA, the PAS128 Utility Mapping Accreditation scheme and feeds directly into the national marketing campaign recently launched by TSA

Developed over ten years by TSA, PUMA represents a significant step forward for our profession. It provides a robust and independent way to assess whether geospatial surveyors can consistently deliver work in line with the PAS128 specification.

Building confidence through accreditation

For accredited TSA members, PUMA offers a clear and credible way to demonstrate compliance with PAS128:2022. Crucially, it also gives clients confidence in both the level of service and the accuracy of the data they receive.

Every PUMA-accredited company has undergone independent audit, ensuring that:

• Survey outputs meet PAS128 requirements
• Working practices are robust and consistent
• Staff are properly trained and demonstrably competent

This means that when clients choose a PUMA-accredited company, they can be assured they are working with a provider fully equipped to deliver reliable, compliant survey data.

Raising the bar for utility surveys

By standardising how PAS128 surveys are delivered, PUMA has raised the bar for the entire construction industry. It establishes a benchmark for quality, giving accredited companies a powerful way to differentiate themselves and prove their capability.

Equally, it simplifies decision-making for clients, who no longer need to rely solely on claims of compliance as they have independent assurance.

PUMA is administered by LRQA, a global leader in assurance, certification, and inspection services, further strengthening the scheme’s credibility and rigour.

A scheme gaining real traction

What’s particularly encouraging is how quickly PUMA is gaining recognition across the sector.

With a number of major infrastructure projects in the pipeline that will require PAS128 surveys, we are seeing a shift in client expectations. Organisations with large contracts are beginning to explicitly request that PUMA accreditation is written into project requirements.

In many cases, they are actively reaching out to TSA to better understand how the accreditation works and how it can support their project delivery.

PUMA is increasingly being recognised as the gold standard for PAS128 surveys.

Looking ahead

The momentum behind PUMA signals a positive change for the industry. For survey companies, this is an opportunity to demonstrate excellence and stand out in a competitive market.

For clients, it is a chance to reduce risk, avoid costly delays, and ensure confidence in the data that underpins their projects.

Find out more about PUMA

If you’re interested in learning more about PUMA accreditation and how it could benefit your organisation or projects, we encourage you to get in touch with TSA.

The post PUMA gathers pace: growing momentum behind the new standard in PAS128 surveys appeared first on The Survey Association.

Running a survey business can be an enjoyable challenge but it can also be very stressful for many reasons. Combined with tight budgets, economic uncertainty, staff shortages and the pressure to deliver precise results, stress can quickly build.

For those in smaller teams, or surveyors working alone, there may be fewer opportunities to share concerns or decompress with colleagues. And although surveying is a diverse profession, many individuals may not feel naturally inclined to open up or ask for support, even when it’s needed.

Be proactive with protecting your mental health

That’s why it’s important to be proactive. Looking after your mental health doesn’t require dramatic change, as small, manageable actions can have a significant impact. On site, this might include:

• Taking regular breaks, even short ones, to reset and avoid fatigue
• Staying connected, checking in with a colleague or friend during the day, for more than just health and safety reasons
• Planning your workload realistically wherever you can to reduce unnecessary pressure
• Getting fresh air and movement, beyond the task at hand, to clear your mind
• Recognising early signs of stress, like irritability or difficulty concentrating, and addressing them early.

Team leaders can support this proactivity by creating open cultures where wellbeing can be discussed freely. Ultimately, taking care of your mental health is not a luxury, it’s essential. You don’t have to handle everything alone. This May, let’s encourage everyone in the surveying community to look after themselves and each other.

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Across the UK, more than four million excavations are carried out each year. A significant number proceed without a comprehensive survey of buried pipes and cables. Strikes on underground assets pose serious risks to life and can cause major financial loss and project disruption. Improving the consistency and reliability of utility surveys is crucial for improving safety and reducing cost and delay. TSA created PUMA to provide its members with a robust, independently assessed framework that raises standards across the industry.

By choosing a PUMA‑accredited company, clients gain assurance that survey work will be carried out accurately and to an agreed level of quality – helping avoid costly errors, unnecessary delays and potentially dangerous incidents.

Sam Roberts, Chair of the PUMA Governance Committee and TSA Council member, said:

“Before the introduction of PUMA, any organisation could state that they were working to the PAS128 specification, but there was no requirement to verify this. TSA’s accreditation scheme has changed that. When clients see that a survey company holds PUMA accreditation, they can be confident that the service and data quality will meet a recognised and independently assessed standard.”

Two stages to PUMA accreditation

PUMA is available to eligible members of The Survey Association. The scheme is delivered by LRQA, a global leader in assurance, certification and inspection. Accreditation involves two stages: a rigorous review of a company’s office processes and systems, followed by a detailed site assessment. Once accredited, companies enter a three‑year cycle of LRQA surveillance to ensure that the standards on which accreditation was awarded are consistently upheld.

Come and meet TSA’s team on Stand P128

Visitors to Utility Week Live 2026 are invited to meet TSA’ ‘s team on stand P128 to learn more about PUMA and how the scheme supports safer working, improved efficiency and significant cost savings across utility and construction projects.

Register for Utility Week Live 2026 here.

The post PUMA: TSA’s PAS128 Utility Mapping Accreditation to be showcased at Utility Week Live 2026 appeared first on The Survey Association.

In this article, we’re going to look at 10 typical examples of geospatial surveying being used to gather data and inform decisions, designs, planning, legislation, our futures and more…  

Utility surveys at planning stage and urban upgrade projects

Underground utilities surveys are among the most useful surveys in the planning stage of construction projects, locating the positioning and depth of various underground services and channels, to ensure that delays and hazards are minimised. 

They are also essential in urban upgrade projects, where new technologies are being introduced and installed in built environments. The location of existing services has to be known in order for new technologies – for example fibreoptic broadband or water and sewer upgrades – to be installed underground and aligned with existing routes.

Flood risk management – geospatial expertise needed

One of the biggest concerns about housing development in the UK is the potential use of floodplains and areas prone to waterlogging or flooding for building. Flood risk management is another area where geospatial surveying can be extremely useful at the planning stage, mapping areas of concern and identifying how flooding can be mitigated against, or avoided altogether, by the location of the project.

Measuring water resources

Water is also a huge natural resource and its management is an integral part of the UK’s water supply to households and industry. Accurately measuring water resources is an important part of that management process. Hydrographic surveys can measure riverbed levels, or survey reservoir capacities, to provide detailed data for dredge planning and flood/waste modelling too.

Port projects

Hydrographic surveys can also be used in harbour or port projects, to ascertain if safe passage can be achieved for ships, so they will be able to navigate safety to dock. Many estuaries change over time, with silting and other geographical shifts, and monitoring of this using surveying techniques is an essential element of maritime construction.

Coastal protection

Monitoring land near the sea is also a vital part of coastal protection. In instances where coastal erosion and weathering are causing major changes to our coastlines, geospatial surveyors can chart these changes and define the pace of change and measures that will need to be installed, as defence against such land loss.  

Trains, traffic and infrastructure

For new rail transportation infrastructure, such as metro links or high-speed rail, geospatial surveying can be used to plan efficient routes, analyse the environmental impact of traffic and manage land acquisition, to be traversed by the tracks.

Bridge construction projects deploy a variety of surveying techniques in their design and construction process – from land surveying of the bridge approaches to underwater surveys of the riverbed’s geography, if pylons or stanchions are going to be required as bridge supports.

The construction of tunnels is one of the most complex types of infrastructure project, whether they are for road or rail routes. A project such as Crossrail would employ 3D modelling and other geospatial technology to monitor the precise boring and construction of underground tunnels, to ensure they integrate with existing infrastructure.

Protecting the environment

Geospatial surveying is essential for environmental protection and conservation work. From tracking deforestation to streamlining land management, surveyors can help to instigate projects such as replanting, to ensure efficiency and sustainability in the landscape are preserved for future generations.

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