1. CEOS Essential Questions

2. “The most serious mistakes are not being made as a result of wrong answers. The truly dangerous thing is asking the wrong questions.” -Peter F. Drucker

3. CEOS Essential Questions: Rationale: In order to embark on the development of the three Strategic Documents that were identified at the 2011 CEOS Plenary, CEOS needs fundamental information to inform the development of those documents. An important component of that information is to identify the high-level “Essential Questions” that underlie CEOS mission and goals.

4. CEOS Essential Questions: Objective for SIT-27: To identify and come to agreement on the overarching, strategic-level Essential Questions that underlie CEOS’s mission and overall goals. Objective for September SIT Technical Workshop: To come to agreement on the answers to the Essential Questions that will help to define needed structure and functions and thus will inform the development of new CEOS top-level planning documents.

5. Reminder: What are the Top Level Planning Documents to be developed? Strategic Guidance Document (10-12 year longevity) Implementation Plan (5-7 year longevity) Work Plan (3-year longevity, updated annually)

6. Reminder: What were CEOS’s original goals? To optimize benefits of space-borne Earth observations through cooperation of its Members in mission planning and in development of compatible data products, formats, services, applications and policies; To serve as a focal point for international coordination of space-related Earth observation activities; and To exchange policy and technical information to encourage complementarity and compatibility of observation and data exchange systems.

7. What are the characteristics of a “CEOS Essential Question?” It is strategic, not tactical (i.e. it does not descend into processes, procedures, or particulars) It is relevant to and consistent with, but not wholly constrained by, the original CEOS objectives It is answerable (i.e. has realism and specificity)

8. Essential Questions identified thus far:

9. Additional Candidates for Discussion : What are the key things that CEOS absolutely must do well to achieve its goals? What are the most valuable outcomes that CEOS provides/enables for its user communities? What conditions would pose the greatest risk to CEOS achieving its objectives now, or in the future? How sustainable are CEOS’s activities? What big accomplishments does CEOS want to look back on, ten years into the future?

10. Others?

11. Next Steps: March 2012SIT-27 selects/decides on list of Essential Questions April – August 2012CEOS community discussions continue September 2012CEOS comes to decision on Essential Question answers 2012 PlenaryCEOS begins using answers to inform development of top-level planning documents.