Report of the IOC Task Force on the GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI) Ivan DeLoatch, U.S. Geological Survey Alan Edwards, European Commission Co-chairs of the IOC Task Force GEO VI-Plenary Washington D.C., U.S.A November 2009

Version 04 page 2 Presentation Overview The GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI) GCI Initial Operating Capability (IOC) Task Force IOC-TF Deliverables: –Concept of Operations Document –Consolidated Requirements Document –Evaluation & Analysis of Existing GCI Components Key Findings of the IOC-TF Recommendations for Long-term GCI Operations Summary

Version 04 page 3 GEOSS Common Infrastructure (GCI) The Cape Town Declaration stated: “We commit to explore ways and means for the sustained operations of the shared architectural GEOSS components and related information infrastructure”. The “shared architectural GEOSS components and related information infrastructure” are now more commonly referred to as the GEOSS Common Infrastructure, or GCI.

Version 04 page 4 GEOSS Common Infrastructure Operational View Represents a COLOSSAL investment by GEO Members & PO in EO systems Delivers major societal benefits to USERS, such as policy makers & citizens Enables GEOSS resources to be readily discovered and accessed Provides improved interoperability Delivers trusted data & information Is "Open”, in accordance with DSP

Current GCI Contributors Component and Service Registry (1): USGS/George Mason University (GEO Member) Standards and Interoperability Registry (1): IEEE (GEO PO) Best Practices Wiki (1): IEEE (GEO PO) GEOSS Clearinghouses (3): Compusult (Private company), ESRI (Private company),, USGS (GEO Member) GEO Web Portals(3): Compusult, ESRI, ESA/FAO (GEO PO)

GCI current operations ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Version 04 page 7 The IOC and the Task Force The Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the GCI was declared “open for business” in June Provide a one-year evaluation phase for the GEO community to use and give feedback. The IOC Task Force was established by the GEO Executive Committee in July 2008 and was charged with evaluating the GCI IOC and developing recommendations for the sustained operations of the GCI.

Version 04 page 8 IOC-TF Work Plan Deliverables –Concept of Operations Document (completed Oct. 2008) This document sets out the steps users should take to employ the facilities within the GCI and also describes the capabilities of the GCI. –Consolidated Requirements Document (completed Mar. 2009) This document sets out the various system requirements applicable to the components of the GCI, outlining the source, its criticality and verification method. NOTE: The requirements are for the GCI only and do not preclude the architecture interoperability arrangements for member system contributions as outlined in the 10-Year Implementation Plan. (Go to:

Version 04 page 9 IOC-TF Work Plan Deliverables Evaluation & Analysis of Existing GCI Components (May-November 2009) Usability Testing – first round completed May 09. Based on ISRSE user testing, Action Plan – completed July-Aug 2009: identified issues to be resolved by GCI component providers. Usability Testing – second round completed in September 2009 Usability Testing – third round in progress here at GEO VI

Version 04 page 10 IOC-TF Work Plan Deliverables Evaluation & Analysis of Existing GCI Components (May-November 2009) GCI Verification Test Plan – in progress; The Plan defines the tests to be executed to verify that the elements that compose the GCI satisfy the GCI Consolidated Requirements.

IOC-TF Key Findings The IOC-TF determined that GEO should undertake the following actions to ensure the successful establishment of a sustained, operational and functional GCI: 1.Advance the GCI from its current, ad hoc arrangements to a sustained, operational basis and agree on the means by which GEO will enable such operation of the GCI during the period 2010 – Establish a suitable voluntary mechanism for potential providers to commit components to the GCI. 3.Create a reserve fund, ….., that can be used to address issues arising during the GCI operational phase that supplement the commitments of the GCI component providers.

IOC-TF Key Findings - continued 4.Establish a single, small, GCI coordinating team to oversee the work of developing, implementing and operating the GCI, and to facilitate the contribution of content to the GCI. 5.Maintain a single web portal & a single clearinghouse within the GCI. 6.Recognize GEO Community Web Portals as a means to address cultural & lingual diversities and to provide custom access to specialized community content. 7.Develop and integrate emerging requirements, technology, and functionality into the GCI.

IOC-TF Key Findings The IOC-TF determined that GCI component providers should undertake the following actions: 8.Contribute, via the prescribed voluntary mechanism, one or more components necessary to enable the operational GCI. 9.Provide the necessary level of resources, (financial, personnel, etc.), that will enable both the sustained operation and maintenance of the GCI during the period 2010 – Agree to accept, abide by and implement the requirements set out in the GCI Consolidated Requirements document.

IOC-TF GCI Recommendations Based upon these Key Findings, the IOC-TF proposes that the GEO-VI Plenary adopts/accepts the eight (8) recommendations in the report: 1.GEO Commitment to an Operational GEOSS Common Infrastructure 2.Component Providers Commitment to an Operational GEOSS Common Infrastructure 3.Establishment of a GCI Reserve Fund within the GEO Trust Fund

IOC-TF GCI Recommendations 4.Facilitating the registration of high-quality GEOSS content 5.Promotion of Interoperability within the GCI

IOC-TF GCI Recommendations 6.Adoption of GCI Principles 7.Establishment of the GEOSS Common Infrastructure Coordination Team 8.Establishment of a Single GEO Web Portal and a Single Clearinghouse

GEO Web Portal Usability Testing (Booths 92-93) You are cordially invited to join the GEO Web Portal Usability Testing on November 17-18, 2009 in Washington, DC. We can’t wait to see you, fun times await, your feedback is important, so don’t hesitate.

Version 04 page 18 Thank You slide 18