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How is the Triad related to the EPA DQO process?
 
Answer

The Triad emphasizes the need for systematic planning encompassing all project decisions and activities, including data collection. EPA’s Data Quality Objective process is one example of a systematic planning process designed to support data collection that can be used in the context of a Triad approach. Triad systematic planning is broader than the DQO process in that it considers project activities that extend beyond just data collection. Historically the DQO process has not been used for developing the types of dynamic work strategies envisioned by the Triad, but there is nothing inherent to the structure of systematic planning using DQOs that prevents this. In addition, some practitioners view the use of classical statistical hypothesis testing to be inseparable from the DQO process. The Triad approach is open to all tools, such as statistics, that support management of decision uncertainty. However, due to the heterogeneous nature of many contaminated sites, care must be exercised when selecting the appropriate statistical tools. Geostatistics (which is designed to cope with spatial patterning of contamination) may be more appropriate than classical statistics (which assume that no spatial patterning exists). Statistical tools selection must be considered during systematic planning in conjunction with the conceptual site model.