Issue Analysis
Identifying, characterizing, and evaluating issues are essential components of a resource assessment. SP employs a process whereby issues are characterized in terms of scale, scope, geographic extent, sources, and effects. Priority issues are selected during the evaluation phase.

Statistical Analysis and Modeling
Statistical and modeling methodologies can assist with ascertaining relationships between coastal attributes and human behavior. For example, SP provides statistical and modeling techniques in the estimation of natural resource values, economic impacts, marine-related recreation participation, and the demand for coastal and ocean resources.

Information Collection and Synthesis
SP gathers and compiles coastal and ocean data from a wide range of data sources through a variety of data collection and synthesis techniques, including: conducting detailed surveys, obtaining and processing existing raw data files (e.g. census, satellite, and monitoring data), and running knowledge engineering workshops. SP also performs analyses and assessments of data sets to produce meaningful reports for coastal resource managers and decision makers.

Data Requirement Planning
SP evaluates the information needed to address questions and problems related to specific coastal resource issues. This appraisal involves determining the type, topic, source, basis, scope, and scale of information required and the extent of data processing necessary. In addition, the feasibility of combining, synthesizing, and summarizing disparate data sets must be determined.

Information-Based Decision Support
Natural resource management often requires difficult choices, and these strategic decisions are influenced by a wide variety of natural and anthropogenic factors. Likewise, limited funding for restoration and enhancement necessitates effective resource targeting. SP staff supports the decision-making process by supplying information synthesis and data analysis in an accessible and understandable format.