Understanding the HOT Tasking Manager

Before you start mapping, you need to understand how mapping projects are organized, how to select appropriate tasks, and how to use the Tasking Manager interface effectively.

Part 1: Project Structure and Organization

Every mapping project in the Tasking Manager is designed for a specific purpose - disaster response, preventive health planning, infrastructure development, or humanitarian aid. Understanding project structure helps you choose appropriate tasks and contribute effectively.

Key Project Components

• Project Area: The geographic region divided into a grid of task squares
• Project Instructions: Specific mapping requirements and guidelines
• Priority Areas: Tasks marked as urgent or high-importance
• Difficulty Level: Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced classification
• Imagery Source: The satellite/aerial imagery you'll use for mapping
• Validation Requirements: Quality standards your work must meet

Part 2: Task States and Workflow

Each individual task square in a project moves through specific states that communicate its status to the entire mapping team.

Task Status Definitions

• Ready: Available for mapping, no one has started work
• Locked for Mapping: You or another mapper is currently working on it
• Ready for Validation: Mapping complete, awaiting quality review
• Locked for Validation: A validator is currently reviewing the work
• Validated: Task approved, meets quality standards
• Invalidated: Task needs corrections, returned to mapper
• Bad Imagery: Satellite imagery too poor quality to map accurately

Part 3: Selecting Your First Task

Choosing the right task is crucial for successful mapping. Don't just pick randomly - use the Tasking Manager's features to find appropriate work.

Task Selection Best Practices

• Start with 'Beginner' projects until you've completed at least 20-30 tasks
• Read the complete project instructions before locking any task
• Use the 'Tasks' tab to view the grid and choose specific squares
• Check task priority levels (Priority 1 = most urgent)
• Look at completed neighboring tasks to understand mapping patterns
• Avoid tasks with complex features (large commercial areas, dense urban centers) initially
• Choose tasks with clear satellite imagery (minimal cloud cover, good resolution)

Part 4: The Mapping Workflow

Follow this precise workflow for every task you map. Consistency is critical for team coordination.

Standard Mapping Process

• 1. Select Project: Browse projects, read descriptions, check difficulty level
• 2. Review Instructions: Read ALL instructions, note specific requirements
• 3. Lock Task: Click task square, click 'Map Selected Task' button
• 4. Open JOSM: Click 'Edit with JOSM' to load task into editor
• 5. Map Features: Follow project instructions precisely
• 6. Review Work: Check for errors, missing features, improper tags
• 7. Upload to OSM: File → Upload data in JOSM
• 8. Mark Complete: Return to Tasking Manager, mark task 'Done'
• 9. Add Comment: Describe what you mapped, any issues encountered
• 10. Unlock Task: Submit to move task to 'Ready for Validation'

Part 5: Working with Task Instructions

Every project has specific instructions that override general mapping guidelines. Always prioritize project-specific requirements.

Common Instruction Types

• Features to Map: What you should digitize (buildings, roads, waterways, etc.)
• Features to Ignore: What to skip (small sheds, fences, temporary structures)
• Tagging Requirements: Specific OSM tags to apply
• Imagery Alignment: Whether imagery offset corrections are needed
• Minimum Size: Smallest features to map (e.g., 'buildings >20m²')
• Special Considerations: Local context, cultural factors, known issues