ModelBuilder & Query tool help

Question

Is scripting necessary?

I am really not sure what kind tool to develop that will process a batch of queries but I more so want to create something that will be easy for a beginner user (of ArcGIS) to easily run; the individual is look to query some data (periodically throughout the year) in a plant inventory feature class within a file gdb. and possibly run reports of the queried data.

For example:* What plants have died?
* Where are a specific plant species located?
* What plants are in a specific area boundary?

Can you create several different models (for each of the queries) in ModelBuilder that he may run?  Or utilizing the tool 'create a query table' to run his queries? What would be the best approach?

Thank you!

Hornbydd · Answer

To compliment Mark English you could create a toolbox. Create several models, 1 for each type of query, expose the inputs/outputs as parameters and then document these through it's metadata. You will then have created a toolbox with several Model Tools that have the familiar look and feel of any other geo-processing tool.

Turning an existing model into a tool is fairly trivial, it's the fine tweaking that makes all the difference to the use experience.

MarkEnglish · Answer

If your queries don't change, and you will re-run the same queries throughout the year, I would simply build one or multiple models that can automate the process.