Review of NOAA's National Geophysical Data Center

The report reviews the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) and assesses how well the center is managing its holdings, serving its users, and supporting NOAA's mission. It concludes that NGDC is the natural place within NOAA and the nation for stewardship and dissemination of data related to the solid Earth and space environment. These subject areas are also relevant to NOAA's new priority on integrated environmental approaches. For NGDC to fulfill its potential, however, it must first rearticulate its mission and overcome some solvable problems, including obtaining effective feedback from its users and organizing the center to eliminate parallel activities and reduce scientific isolation among the divisions. Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1. Introduction2. Overview of NGDC3. Improving the Effectiveness of NGDC4. NGDC Mission and Vision5. ConclusionsAppendix A: Biographical Sketches of Committee MembersAppendix B: Criteria for ReviewAppendix C: NGDC HoldingsAppendix D: NOAA, NESDIS, and NGDC Missions, Visions, and Strategic ObjectivesAppendix E: NGDC Performance Measures and MilestonesAppendix F: Acronyms

The report reviews the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) and assesses how well the center is managing its holdings, serving its users, and supporting NOAA's mission. It concludes that NGDC is the natural place within NOAA and the nation for stewardship and dissemination of data related to the solid Earth and space environment. These subject areas are also relevant to NOAA's new priority on integrated environmental approaches. For NGDC to fulfill its potential, however, it must first rearticulate its mission and overcome some solvable problems, including obtaining effective feedback from its users and organizing the center to eliminate parallel activities and reduce scientific isolation among the divisions.