Method and system for determining a planned path for a machine

A system for providing a planned path for a machine for digging a drainage channel, the system comprising:

• a location determining receiver for collecting terrain data within a work area, the terrain data comprising elevation data and corresponding location data;
• a path planning module for defining a planned path for a drainage channel, the planned path comprising a starting point with first coordinates and a termination point with second coordinates within the work area, the drainage channel to extend from the starting point to the end point such that the starting point has a higher elevation than the termination point;
• a user interface for establishing constraint data comprising a minimum cut parameter, a maximum cut parameter, a minimum slope parameter and a maximum slope parameter;
• and
• a data processor for determining a validated path for the drainage channel based on compliance with the constraint data.