Zerdly

Survey Job Folder Structure Builder

Builds a standard survey job folder tree with raw, processed, issued and archive directories.

100% FreeRuns in your browserBasic
How to use this calculator

Job and folders

Start from

Use / between levels, e.g. 02_Raw/GNSS. Parent folders are added for you.

Preview

Arrange folders

Expand, move or remove folders with the buttons (keyboard friendly). Moving rewrites the path list in the new order. Most file browsers still sort by name — the number prefixes set that order.

  • 00_Admin/
    • Correspondence/
  • 01_Control/
    • Marks/
  • 02_Raw/
    • Drone/
      • GCP/
      • Images/
    • GNSS/
    • Level/
    • Total_Station/
  • 03_Processed/
    • Adjustment/
    • Photogrammetry/
    • Surfaces/
  • 04_CAD_GIS/
  • 05_QA/
    • Checks/
  • 06_Issued/
    • Deliverables/
  • 07_Archive/
PROJECT/
  00_Admin/
    Correspondence/
  01_Control/
    Marks/
  02_Raw/
    Drone/
      GCP/
      Images/
    GNSS/
    Level/
    Total_Station/
  03_Processed/
    Adjustment/
    Photogrammetry/
    Surfaces/
  04_CAD_GIS/
  05_QA/
    Checks/
  06_Issued/
    Deliverables/
  07_Archive/

21 folders + README.md. The ZIP adds a short placeholder README.txt in every folder so empty folders are kept.

Keeping 02_Raw unchanged is a convention to follow — a ZIP cannot lock it. Nothing is created on your computer until you extract the download.

How the method works

Raw data stays raw
Illustrative method
Raw data stays rawFour boxes left to right — raw data, processed data, QA evidence and issued deliverables — joined by arrows, with raw data marked read-only.Raw datakept asobservedProcessedderived,versionedQAchecks andevidenceIssuednameddeliverablesRead-onlyEach step adds files; none overwrites the step before.
Preserve raw observations and describe derived outputs: raw data → processed data → QA evidence → issued deliverables. Names, folders, schemas and templates make each stage traceable; they do not change the raw files, and a name alone does not create a backup.

Fixed example values for illustration — not your result.

Before you rely on this: First-pass guide only. Verify safety-critical or regulated work against the relevant standards, your project requirements and a qualified professional.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter the job name or ID and start from a GNSS, total-station, drone or combined preset.
  2. Edit the folder list — one path per line, / between levels — and choose which README sections to include.
  3. Fix anything flagged, then download the ZIP skeleton, or the tree as TXT or JSON.
  4. Arrange folders in the expandable tree with the Move up, Move down and Remove buttons (all keyboard operable); the path list, preview and TXT/JSON exports follow the new order.

How it works

The presets use 00_Admin, 01_Control, 02_Raw, 03_Processed, 04_CAD_GIS, 05_QA, 06_Issued and 07_Archive, with sub-folders for the method you chose.

Every path is checked: absolute paths, drive letters and .. are refused, reserved names are repaired, and two folders that differ only by letter case are flagged because Windows and macOS treat them as the same.

The ZIP holds exactly the previewed tree, with a short placeholder README in each folder so empty folders survive extraction, and an optional job README template. Nothing is created on your computer until you extract it.

Worked example

Combined preset. Includes 02_Raw/GNSS, 02_Raw/Total_Station, 02_Raw/Level and 02_Raw/Drone. Adding ../Issued is refused because it would leave the job folder.

Common mistakes

  • Working directly in 02_Raw — keep raw captures unchanged and process copies.
  • Two folders such as Raw and raw on different machines.
  • Treating the archive as locking raw data; it is a convention.

Frequently asked questions

Why separate raw, processed and issued?

Keeping raw captures untouched means you can always reprocess; separating issued deliverables and archived versions prevents working from or overwriting a superseded file.

Is this official course material?

No. It is free study support mapped to surveying course levels — not official North Metropolitan TAFE content or advice. Always follow your lecturer and the official assessment brief, and check your own working.

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Cite this tool

Zerdly. (2026). Survey Job Folder Structure Builder. Retrieved from https://www.zerdly.com/tools/survey-job-folder-structure-builder/

Tip: Enter any known values to calculate the remaining results.

Designed to run locally in your browser. Tool inputs are not intentionally stored by Zerdly unless stated otherwise.