PrintGeospatial analysis can be very difficult to do well. Much of the difficulty is cognitive and not related to an individual's ability to use the technical tools, i.e., GIS. It takes far greater mental agility than gathering evidence supporting a single hypothesis that was pre-judged as the most likely answer. To develop and retain multiple spatial schemes in working memory and note how each item of information fits into each hypothesis is beyond the mental capabilities of most analysts. (Note: Working memory tasks include the active monitoring or manipulation of information or behaviors.)
Moreover, truly good geospatial analysis requires monitoring your progress, making changes and adapting the ways you are thinking. It is about self-reflection, self-responsibility, and initiative to achieve the analytic results within the time allotted. This mental agility can be accomplished with the help of a few simple thinking tools discussed here.