Today, most projects have coordinate systems because of CAD design. Often, the coordinate systems being used differ between what the architect uses versus what the civil engineers use versus what the structural engineers use versus what the surveyors use. As a result of the different systems, the measurement units differ, and the plans don't align.

A construction project’s success factor begins with accurate survey data and the coordinate system it is based on. The coordinate system is the source for obtaining the precise survey data. Coordinates are necessary when laying projects out, whether it’s a highway, bridge, site work, utilities, or another type of construction project.