4.1 The intended use of this guide is to provide practical assistance in the development of an optimized sampling design. This standard describes or discusses:

4.1.1 Sampling design selection criteria,

4.1.2 Factors impacting the choice of a sampling design,

4.1.3 Selection of a sampling design,

4.1.4 Techniques for optimizing candidate designs, and

4.1.5 The criteria for evaluating an optimized sampling design.

4.2 Within a formal USEPA data generation activity, the planning process or Data Quality Objectives (DQO) development is the first step. The second and third are the implementation of the sampling and analysis design and the data quality assessment. Within the DQO planning process, the selection and optimization of the sampling design is the last step, and therefore, the culmination of the DQO process. The preceding steps in the DQO planning process address:

4.2.1 The problem that needs to be addressed,

4.2.2 The possible decisions,

4.2.3 The data input and associated activities,

4.2.4 The boundaries of the study,

4.2.5 The development of decision rules, and

4.2.6 The specified the limits on decision error.

4.3 This guide is not intended to address the aspects of the planning process for development of the project objectives. However, the project objectives must be outlined and communicated to the design team, prior to the selection and optimization of the sample design.

4.4 This guide references statistical aspects of the planning and implementation process and includes an appendix for the statistical calculation of the optimum number of samples for a given sampling design.

4.5 This guide is intended for those who are responsible for making decisions about environmental waste management activities.