| Program Management
Management of integrated science endeavors will be met with additional challenges stemming from the complexities of coordinating multidivisional/multiagency projects. The primary challenges for management of successful integrated science efforts are to:
1.) Maintain flexibility.
Realizing that the coordination of existing science efforts in any given estuarine system will vary, management structure of USGS science teams must be designed with the flexibility to accommodate and complement coordination with external agencies and partners in developing science advisory, resource manager, and program management committees. Managers must also maintain flexibility in funding and proposal mechanisms to insure efficient and timely distribution of resources realizing that these processes differ between divisions and external agencies.
2.) Participate regularly in stakeholder meetings and effectively communicate new information.
Participation of project leaders/managers in stakeholder meetings is necessary to insure continued collaboration between agencies, appropriateness of project tasks and implementation of changing science directions. Effective communication between stakeholder meeting participants and working scientists is necessary to insure the continued development and appropriate evolution of relevant conceptual models, hypotheses, work plans, and products.
3.) Provide opportunities for and encourage communication among scientists from different disciplines and agencies.
Scientists from different disciplines need to work together from the beginning steps of developing conceptual models, defining hypotheses, performing integrated field work, data interpretation and product development. Effective communication among scientists will require the development of a new mindset, realizing that integrated science is challenging and does require a great deal of coordination effort. Opportunities must be provided to scientists to gather at informal and formal meetings for effective project development and execution.
4.) Develop various levels of advisory committees including:
- A Program Management Committee (PMC) consisting of scientists representing participating USGS disciplines and participating external agencies to help coordinate scientific efforts, promote communication among scientists, and prevent overlap of science efforts.
- A Scientific Advisory Council (SAC) of external, non-participating scientists to oversee and provide objective opinions on science progress, current and future directions, whether or not science efforts are addressing resource management issues.
- A Resource Management Advisory Council (RMAC) to provide information and guidance on the information and product needs for effective resource management.
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