Satellite Observations of the Earth's Environment Accelerating the Transition of Research to Operations (2003) / Chapter Skim
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6. A Mechanism for Achieving Effective Transitions
6. A Mechanism for Achieving Effective Transitions
Pages 66-79
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From page 66... ...
~ climate (::ommunit~ FIGURE 6.1 An efficient transition pathway is based on a solid overarching architecture with strong building blocks supporting all the processes that make up the pathway.
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From page 67... ...
After evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, the committee found that one approach best addresses the objective of establishing a mechanism to develop effective transition architectures without introducing new and equally challenging issues. The committee has identified the need for the creation of an Interagency Transition Office that wi 11 both support the research and operational efforts in NASA and NOAA and strengthen the transitioning process.
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68 Satellite Observations of the Earth's Environment
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From page 69... ...
that use the research products and the NASA entities that carry out the research. It should receive input from the broad scientific and user communities through a high-level advisory council with membership drawn from the relevant research and operational communities outside the participating agencies.
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From page 70... ...
· For each identified transition project, establish a NASA-NOAA Project Transition Plan for accomplishing the transition, with signature approval by authorities at the highest levels at which transition-related activities occur at NOAA and NASA headquarters, respectively. Each plan should define measures of transition effectiveness and should describe the activities associated with the transition, including the operational requirements to be satisfied, scientific validation of the measurement technique, technology development requirements, any need for pre-operational test beds or flight validation, algorithm and assimilation needs, a data-management plan, and other, related activities.
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From page 71... ...
. on an annual basis, tile I l ~ SHOUId describe the progress ot each luentitleo transltion project in the NASA-NOAA Transition P/anning and Status Report · Provide a forum for identifying transition-related weaknesses in the NOAA requirements and in the NASA research plans, describe transition issues, and present candidate solutions for resolution at the highest level of authority required at NOAA and NASA headquarters, respectively.
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· It is consistent with the existing NASA research peer-review process. The peer-review process introduces uncertainty into transition planning but is central to the integrity and quality of NASA research.
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The approach and recommendations presented here are also consistent with a recent study of the socioeconomic benefits of Earth science research, especially the recommendations that NASA and other government agencies should expend sustained resources on better understanding and on improving the flow of information from science to applications (Hertzfeld and Williamson, 20021. The Hertzfeld and Williamson study recommended that "a detailed analysis of the research to applications should be conducted in each applications area in order to achieve the best return on investment in Earth science research," which is what the NASA-NOAA Transition Planning and Status Report wi 11 accompl ish.
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From page 74... ...
The alternative approaches are outlined in the fol lowi ng subsections. Alternative Approach 1: Establish a New Transition Agency The first alternative approach considered by the committee is that of establishi ng a new transitioning agency, with fu 11 responsibi I ity for research i n support of environmental remote sensing operations and the concomitant transition of capabilities.
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From page 75... ...
illustrates that transitions can be accomplished in certain cases, when properly planned and coordinated by the mutual agreement of NOAA and NASA along with the strong individual involvement of those wielding resource authority. However, the case-by-case approach on the whole is inefficient, inconsistent, and fiscally unpredictable; it leaves critical elements unaddressed; and it is not a robust, long-term solution.
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Alternative Approach 3: Expand the Role of the NPOESS Integrated Program Office The third alternative approach considered by the committee is that of expanding the role of the NPOESS Integrated Program Office (IPO) to include all of the transition-related activities that occur between NASA and NOAA.
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From page 77... ...
states: "NASA will have lead agency responsibility to support the IPO in facilitating the development and insertion of new cost effective technologies that enhance the ability of the converged system to meet its operational requirements." 2Comments such as, "The three centers that are the heaviest planned users of NPOESS EDRs reported that about 45% of the EDRs they plan to use would require major advances in science in order to be used" (GAO, 2002) imply that not all elements of the transition process are being addressed by this approach.
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From page 78... ...
,3 that would provide the means to develop transition plans and obtain the budget commitment needed, through the agency representatives as the agencies directed. Other federal agencies could be added as appropriate, since they would have fundamental representation within the overall OFCM infrastructure, although not initially on the NASA-NOAA Transition Program Council.
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From page 79... ...
While the committee believes that creation of the Interagency Transition Office would be a major step toward making transitions from research to operations faster and more effective, it realizes that the ITO by itself will not guarantee success. A strong and sustained commitment by NASA and NOAA leadership to the ITO in particular and to transitioning in general is required, and the ITO must be provided sufficient resources and authority to do its job.
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