Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Data Management and Communication (DMAC) Standards Process Julie Bosch NOAA National Coastal Data Development Center 6th Joint Meeting of the NASA Earth Science Data System Working Groups October 23-25, 2007

Overview IOOS and DMAC DMAC Structure DMAC Standards Process Challenges (a.k.a. discussion topics) Questions

Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) A system designed in a way to provide ocean data, products and information in forms and at rates required by decision makers to address seven societal goals. Participating Organizations –Federal agencies –National programs –International programs –Regional associations

Observing Subsystem 4 IOOS Subsystems Satellites Aircraft Fixed Platforms Ships Drifters & Floats AUVs Metadata Data discovery Data transport Online browse Data archival Safe & Efficient Maritime Operations Homeland Security Natural Hazards Climate Change Public Health Ecosystem Health Living Marine Resources DMAC Subsystem Modeling & Analysis Subsystem Societal Goals

DMAC Structure Steering Team Representatives from government, industry, academia, public, and non-profits –Expert Teams Archive Metadata and Data Discovery Transport and Access –Working group Systems engineering –Caucuses International Private sector Education –K-12 –Professional development Modeling Regional Association –Interagency Oversight Working Group

DMAC Standards Process Background Standards are key to the success of DMAC Identify standards needed –To enable interoperability –Support draft Data Policy and Archive Policy –Enhance guidance to data providers Coordination with other standards processes DMAC standards mantra: –Adopt –Adapt –Develop only as a last resort

DMAC Standards Process Background Identifying existing standards is a first step May be a need to “standardize” the standards –Define specific use cases or applications Data providers may be required to use different standards –Defining “crosswalks” or “relationships” among standards may be critical to interoperability

DMAC Standards Process Highlights Based on review of other standards processes Initially structured and agreed upon at May 2006 DMAC Steering Team meeting Refined process “details” including feedback loops and participant roles through September 2007 NOAA’s IOOS Program Office has developed the online system in coordination with the DMAC Chair “Kick-off” operation of the DMAC Standards Process October 2007

IOOS DMAC Standards Collaborative Workspace

DMAC Standards Process Six step process Three status levels for standards –Submitted –Proposed –Recommended Involves six key participant roles –DMAC Chair –DMAC Steering Team –Experts –Public –Gatekeeper –Originator

DMAC Standards Process Step 1: Initial Entry of a Standard Requested Information Name/Version/Date Function Abstract Purpose/Scope Technical Description Statutory Requirements Relationships/Dependencies Current Usage Justification References Acronyms Contact Information Supporting Parties Attachments

DMAC Standards Process Step 1: Initial Entry of a Standard Involves: Originator and Gatekeeper Status: None

DMAC Standards Process Step 2: Internal Review Involves: Gatekeeper and DMAC Chair Status: None

DMAC Standards Process Step 3: Expert Review Step 3: Expert Review Involves: Gatekeeper, Experts, Originator, Steering Team and DMAC Chair Status: Submitted

DMAC Standards Process Step 3: Expert Review Status: Submitted

DMAC Standards Process Step 3: Expert Review Status: Submitted

DMAC Standards Process Step 4: Public Review Involves: Gatekeeper and Public Status: Proposed

DMAC Standards Process Step 5: Public Comment Consideration Involves: Gatekeeper, Experts, Originator and DMAC Chair Status: Proposed

DMAC Standards Process Step 6: Poll to move to Recommended status Involves: Gatekeeper, Steering Team and DMAC Chair Status: Proposed to Recommended

DMAC Standards Process IOOS DMAC Standards Process document and training documentation on the website. Evaluation criteria are still being reviewed. This process will evolve with lessons learned.

Steering Team Poll September August July June December January April March May November October February Steering Team Poll Experts Comments Cut-off for November Poll Training and Initial Standards Entry Steering Team Review Standards Web Tool Submission process opens Spring 2008 refined schedule expanded review times Fall 2007 first use tight schedule Experts Comments Cut-off for May Poll Steering Team Review Standards Process Timeline

Challenges Technical reviewers –Volunteer workforce –Availability vs. timelines Copy-written material –How do you handle distribution for technical review? Communications –Announcements of reviews –Exchange of technical review results Accelerating through the process based on “outside” reviews Relationship to US GEO and GEOSS Standards Registry

Contact Information Anne Ball DMAC Steering Team Chair Julie Bosch DMAC Steering Team Member

Questions?