Global WatchGlobal Watch Docs
Features

Projects

Projects

Projects are the central unit of work in Global Watch. Each project represents a forest area and serves as a container for assets, documents, and team collaboration.

Overview

A Global Watch project includes:

  • Geospatial Data - Boundaries defined using GeoJSON polygons
  • Area Calculations - Automatic hectare calculations from geometry
  • Assets - Trees, equipment, and other tracked items
  • Documents - Reports, permits, and compliance documentation
  • Members - Team members with specific roles and permissions
  • Version History - Complete audit trail of all changes

Creating a Project

Step 1: Navigate to Projects

  1. Log in to your Global Watch account
  2. Navigate to your team workspace
  3. Click Projects in the sidebar navigation
  4. Click the New Project button

Step 2: Enter Project Details

Fill in the required information:

FieldDescriptionRequired
NameA descriptive name for your projectYes
DescriptionDetailed description of the projectNo
SlugURL-friendly identifier (auto-generated)Yes
GeometryGeoJSON polygon defining project boundariesNo

Step 3: Define Project Boundaries

You can define project boundaries in several ways:

  1. Draw on Map - Use the interactive map to draw polygon boundaries
  2. Upload GeoJSON - Import existing GeoJSON geometry files
  3. Enter Coordinates - Manually enter coordinate points
  4. Skip for Now - Add boundaries later

Project area is automatically calculated in hectares when geometry is provided.

Step 4: Save and Configure

After creating the project:

  1. Review the calculated area
  2. Add team members if needed
  3. Configure project settings
  4. Start adding assets

Managing Projects

Project Dashboard

The project dashboard provides an overview of:

  • Project Statistics - Area, asset count, member count
  • Recent Activity - Latest changes and updates
  • Quick Actions - Common tasks and shortcuts
  • Status Indicators - Project health and alerts

Editing Project Details

To edit a project:

  1. Navigate to the project
  2. Click Settings in the project navigation
  3. Update the desired fields
  4. Click Save Changes

Updating Project Geometry

To modify project boundaries:

  1. Go to project settings
  2. Click Edit Geometry
  3. Use the map editor to adjust boundaries
  4. Save changes

Changing project geometry will recalculate the area and may affect billing if you're on a usage-based plan.

Project Status

Projects can have the following statuses:

StatusDescription
ActiveProject is currently in use
ArchivedProject is archived but preserved
DraftProject is being set up

Archiving Projects

To archive a project:

  1. Navigate to project settings
  2. Click Archive Project
  3. Confirm the action

Archived projects:

  • Are removed from active project lists
  • Retain all data and history
  • Can be restored at any time
  • Don't count toward active usage limits

Restoring Projects

To restore an archived project:

  1. Navigate to Archived Projects
  2. Find the project to restore
  3. Click Restore
  4. Confirm the action

Project Members

Adding Members

  1. Navigate to project Members section
  2. Click Add Member
  3. Select team members or enter email addresses
  4. Assign appropriate roles
  5. Send invitations

Project Roles

RolePermissions
OwnerFull access, can delete project
AdminManage members, settings, and content
EditorCreate and edit assets and documents
ViewerRead-only access to project data

Removing Members

  1. Go to project Members
  2. Find the member to remove
  3. Click the Remove button
  4. Confirm the action

Project Settings

General Settings

  • Name - Project display name
  • Description - Project description
  • Slug - URL identifier
  • Visibility - Team visibility settings

Notifications

Configure project-specific notifications:

  • Asset updates
  • Member changes
  • Document uploads
  • Status changes

Integrations

Connect external services:

  • GIS systems
  • Document management
  • Reporting tools

Best Practices

Naming Conventions

Use clear, descriptive names:

✅ Good: "Amazon Reserve - Block A"
✅ Good: "Cerrado Restoration Project 2024"
❌ Avoid: "Project 1"
❌ Avoid: "Test"

Geometry Guidelines

For accurate area calculations:

  • Use high-precision coordinates
  • Ensure polygon boundaries are closed
  • Avoid self-intersecting polygons
  • Verify boundaries match actual forest areas

Team Organization

  • Assign appropriate roles based on responsibilities
  • Regularly review member access
  • Remove inactive members promptly
  • Document role assignments

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Project not appearing in list

  • Check if you have access to the team workspace
  • Verify the project isn't archived
  • Refresh the page

Area calculation seems incorrect

  • Verify geometry coordinates are accurate
  • Check for self-intersecting polygons
  • Ensure the coordinate system is correct (WGS84)

Cannot edit project

  • Verify you have Editor or higher role
  • Check if the project is archived
  • Contact project owner for access

Authentication

Secure sign-in methods including password, magic link, OTP, and social login

Assets

Track and monitor forest assets with location data, status tracking, and detailed metadata

On this page

ProjectsOverviewCreating a ProjectStep 1: Navigate to ProjectsStep 2: Enter Project DetailsStep 3: Define Project BoundariesStep 4: Save and ConfigureManaging ProjectsProject DashboardEditing Project DetailsUpdating Project GeometryProject StatusArchiving ProjectsRestoring ProjectsProject MembersAdding MembersProject RolesRemoving MembersProject SettingsGeneral SettingsNotificationsIntegrationsBest PracticesNaming ConventionsGeometry GuidelinesTeam OrganizationTroubleshootingCommon IssuesRelated Features