Earth Observing System: Concentration on Near-Term EOSDIS Development May
Jeopardize Long-Term Success (Testimony, 03/16/95, GAO/T-AIMD-95-103).

The Earth Observing System's Data and Information System (EOSDIS) is
intended to study global change by gathering information on how the
earth functions as a single, integrated system.  In a January 1994
report, the National Research Council recommended that EOSDIS be
redesigned to make it more open and distributed, with much more control
and responsibility for data processing going to the scientists who will
use the system.  NASA has since revamped EOSDIS' technical architecture
to make it more flexible and accommodating to the unique needs of data
users and researchers.  Key members of the scientific community have
endorsed these changes.  Nevertheless, GAO has concerns about NASA's
development strategy for EOSDIS and its approach to mitigating the
significant risks inherent in this large, technically complex project.
This testimony discusses two aspects of EOSDIS' development: (1) knowing
who the expected users of the system will be and how they will use the
system and (2) finding the appropriate balance between near- and
long-term EOSDIS development needs.  GAO also discusses options that
others have identified for improving EOSDIS and saving money.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  T-AIMD-95-103
     TITLE:  Earth Observing System: Concentration on Near-Term EOSDIS 
             Development May Jeopardize Long-Term Success
      DATE:  03/16/95
   SUBJECT:  Earth sciences research
             Earth sciences data systems
             Computerized information systems
             Data collection operations
             Data base management systems
             Data storage
             Systems architecture
             Strategic information systems planning
             Systems design
IDENTIFIER:  NASA Earth Observing System Program
             NASA Earth Observing System Data Information System
             
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