1. A method for generating a searchable electronic record of a locate operation performed by a locate technician, the method comprising: A) displaying, on a display device, a bare grid; B) adding to the displayed bare grid, via a user input device associated with the display device, at least one digital representation of at least one physical locate mark so as to generate a marked-up grid including the at least one digital representation of the at least one physical locate mark, wherein: the at least one physical locate mark includes at least one of paint and a flag; and the at least one physical locate mark is applied during the locate operation, the locate operation comprising, in response to a locate request ticket, identifying, using the at least one physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area wherein at least a portion of the dig area is planned to be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities; and C) electronically transmitting and/or electronically storing information relating to the marked-up grid so as to generate the searchable electronic record of the locate operation.