Draft Strategic Plan

Introduction

The Federation of Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP Federation) is a broad-based community drawn from agencies and individuals who collectively provide end-to-end handling for Earth and environmental science data and information. The ESIP Federation was founded in 1998 by NASA in response to a National Research Council (NRC) review of the Earth Observation System Data and Information System (EOSDIS). During its 10-year history, the ESIP Federation has evolved from its original 24 partners to more than 100 partners at present.

In the strategic plan that follows, the ESIP Federation has updated its vision since its last plan in 2004. The 2004 strategic plan positioned the ESIP Federation to become a recognized forum for community interactions between data managers, scientists, applications developers, educators and users of Earth science data and information. The 2008 strategic plan focuses on the implementation of the vision outlined in 2004.

The 2008 strategic plan recognizes that the ESIP Federation is uniquely positioned to respond to the growing need for information to solve the Earth’s pressing environmental problems and the public’s interest in making better use of science information. The ESIP Federation’s strength continues to come from its diverse partner organizations, including all NOAA, NASA and USGS Earth observing data centers, government research laboratories, research universities, modelers, education resource providers, technology developers, nonprofits and commercial enterprises. The growth of the community has attracted funding from 3 federal agencies and the promise of others is just over the horizon.

The following strategic plan will guide the ESIP Federation for five years (2008-2013) and will be complemented by annual work plans put forth by committees, working groups and clusters from within the ESIP Federation. The strategic plan will be a living document, responding to community input throughout its life and reflecting the priorities set by partners who participate in ESIP Federation activities.

Vision

To provide Earth science data, information and knowledge that is responsive to societal needs.

Mission

To support the cyberinfrastructure needs of our members and the broader community by linking the functional sectors of observation, research, application and ultimate use of Earth science.

Goals and Objectives

GOAL 1: Increase the use and value of Earth science data and information.

Demonstrate use through community-vetted demos, pilots and applications
Develop an understanding of communities’ needs through outreach to user communities. (e.g. decision makers, teachers, students)
Reduce barriers between data providers and data users through IT, training, and standards education (technical workshops, outreach)
Provide mechanisms for community review of data, products, applications and other resources.
Develop and share alternative approaches to sustaining Earth science data and information networks.
Tell the story of how a product makes an impact from beginning to end (value chain).

GOAL 2: Act as a facilitating, coordinating and advisory community-led organization to promote the use of Earth science data and information for our members, sponsors and the broader community.

Foster interactions among communities of Earth science data providers, researchers, technology developers, educators and those who put their products to practical use.
Innovate.
Promote use of technical standards and best practices for data management, stewardship and application development.

GOAL 3: Continue to evolve the ESIP Federation (e.g., governance, structure, staffing) to strengthen the ties between Observations, Research and Applications.

Recognize and encourage new leadership.
Embrace technology to support community interaction.
Establish metrics on organizational performance.

GOAL 4: Promote techniques to articulate and measure the socioeconomic value and benefit of Earth science data, information and applications. (e.g., feedback to sponsors – value of their investment)

Create impact metrics on the value of Earth Science data and information.
Develop metrics to describe the linkages between Observation, Research and Applications.
Recognize and promote best practices for providing feedback to sponsors.