Discussion of CEOS Decision-Making Processes
CEOS Self-Study (CSS) Implementation
Agenda Item 7C
Steven Hosford, CNES
Timothy Stryker, CEO
26th CEOS Plenary | Bengaluru, India| 24-27 October 2012
Overview
• Objective: CEOS adoption of a systematic and useable
corporate decision-making process
– Adoption of new proposals and initiatives
– Ongoing review for continuation/conclusion of CEOS initiatives
• Topics to be Addressed
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Team Membership
Anticipated Schedule/Milestones
Initial findings on CEOS decision-making processes
Derived Ideas under Consideration within the Team
26th CEOS Plenary | Bengaluru, India| 24-27 October 2012
Team Membership
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Takao Akutsu, JAXA
Marie- Josée Bourassa, CSA
Richard Eckman, NASA
Laura Frulla, CONAE
Steven Hosford, CNES (co-chair)
Jean Parcher, USGS
Ivan Petiteville, ESA
Brent Smith, NOAA
Greg Stensaas, WGCV
Tim Stryker (co-chair)
A good cross-section of CEOS, through additional geographic
representation, is welcome!
26th CEOS Plenary | Bengaluru, India| 24-27 October 2012
Anticipated Schedule/Milestones
• Presentation of early/initial ideas and confirmation of next steps
(Bangalore Plenary, Oct 2012)
• Dissemination of follow-up material to Team members outlining ideas
(Nov-Dec 2012)
• Review/refinement of ideas into recommendations (Jan – Feb 2013)
• Presentation and discussion of recommendations (SIT-28, Mar 2013)
• Provision of final draft recommendations to CEOS SIT Writing Team on
Principles, Priorities, and Governance (Apr 2013)
• Further Development/Coordination of SIT Writing Team’s paper across
the CEOS community (May-Sept 2013)
– Includes sharing of paper and its recommendations for CEOS community review and
comment in advance of CEOS Plenary
• Submit final SIT recommendations for CEOS Plenary approval (Oct 2013)
– Principles and Priorities
– Governance (including decision-making processes)
26th CEOS Plenary | Bengaluru, India| 24-27 October 2012
Initial Findings on CEOS DecisionMaking Processes
CSS Report
• CEOS should maintain its ability to meeting its existing
commitments
• Current ad hoc decision-making approach no longer suffices
for CEOS
• A clear, fair, systematic and reliable mechanism is required to
assist CEOS in determining which new initiatives/projects
should be undertaken (and continued)
CEOS Decision-Making Team
• Formal SIT/Plenary review/approval process not applicable to
self-initiated “ground level” activities initiated by CEOS WGs,
VCs, and SBA Teams, that are not major CEOS initiatives
26th CEOS Plenary | Bengaluru, India| 24-27 October 2012
Derived Ideas Under Consideration
• Strategic importance of Accepting/Rejecting Requests
– Alignment with CEOS priorities and capacity
• CEOS Decision-Making Must Be Dynamic and Inclusive
– Priorities should not become static and unresponsive to new internal or
external developments
– Open and systematic review/decision-making required
– Clear criteria for acceptance/rejection of proposals
• Many Shapes and Sizes of “CEOS Support”
– Major, multi-agency initiatives and smaller-scale projects
– Internally- and externally-generated requests
• Possible Review Team for Proposed Major New Initiatives
– Initial review criteria discussed (see Backup Slides)
– VC application process a possible model
– Avoid “analysis paralysis”
• Appropriate Feedback/Approval Mechanisms
– SEC, SIT, and Plenary levels
26th CEOS Plenary | Bengaluru, India| 24-27 October 2012
With Better Decision-Making,
CEOS Will Soar to New Heights!
(Without it, well…..)
26th CEOS Plenary | Bengaluru, India| 24-27 October 2012
Backup Slides
26th CEOS Plenary | Bengaluru, India| 24-27 October 2012
Possible Criteria for Review and DecisionMaking on Proposals for CEOS Support
• Is the proposed activity appropriate for CEOS, rather than for
another existing coordination group or private sector
organization/association?
• Is the proposed activity closely aligned with CEOS priorities, as
stated CEOS’s governing documents (Strategic Guidance
Document, Principles of Operation, Work Plan)?
• Is the proposed activity well-aligned with a sufficient number
of individual CEOS Agencies’ Earth Observation priorities?
• What impact (positive/negative) will the proposed activity
have on existing, ongoing CEOS activities?
26th CEOS Plenary | Bengaluru, India| 24-27 October 2012
Possible Criteria (cont’d)
• Can a sufficient number of CEOS Agencies successfully
respond based on their existing technical and financial
resources? (Note: A “sufficient number” of CEOS Agencies could vary widely,
based on the size and scope of the proposed activity)
– Data Provision
– Data Processing Capacity
• If Agencies have sufficient resources, technical capacity and
interest, are there additional policy considerations that would
encourage or discourage their involvement – e.g., overarching
data policies or prevailing public/private partnerships?
• If initiative is adopted, what will constitute its success and
completion (or continuation)?
26th CEOS Plenary | Bengaluru, India| 24-27 October 2012