USGS SDLM: Arrows with the word 'Process' pointing to different stages

USGS SDLM: Arrows with text 'Process' pointing to Acquire, Preserve, Publish/Share, Describe, Manage Quality, Backup & Secure

It can sometimes be difficult to determine where processing ends and analysis begins. In part this is because the two concepts are often intermingled to ensure that both data and research products meet a common set of goals.