report of chair, tt-wrm (doc. 4.1 )

WMO

Report of Chair, TT-WRM(Doc. 4.1)

(R. Stringer, Chair, TT-WRM)

TT-WRM

WMO

OutlineTT-WRM ReportActivities since ICG-WIGOS-2Deliverables:

i. Tech Regs Vol I Part I (WIGOS), and Manual on WIGOS; < REC 1

ii. Steps / timeline; < REC 3

iii. Updated TORs for TT-WRMGuidelines on tech regsMatters for ICG-WIGOS consideration

From TT-WRM-2; From TT-WRM-3; From "issues log" < REC 2Membership of TT-WRM < REC 4Future meetings < REC 6WIGOS regulatory material in the longer term < REC 5

Discussion of issues and recommendationsSpecific matters then Recs 1 and 2Recs 3, 4, 5 and 6

TT-WRM

WMO

TT-WRM: Activities since ICG-WIGOS-2 second session of TT-

WRM:17-20 June 2013 third session of TT-WRM: 25

to 29 November 2013 final reports available on

the WMO web site (under WIGOS meetings)

A series of twenty WebEx sessions (video conference via the web) over the past year brief summaries of each

session are available on the TT-WRM working papers web site

TT-WRM

• Supported by Secretariat / WIGOS Project Office:

• Igor Zahumensky; Luis Nunes (since Nov 2013), Tim Goos (since Oct 2013)

WMO

TT-WRM: Deliverablesi. Tech Regs Vol I Part I (WIGOS), and Manual on WIGOS; < REC 1

TT-WRM

RECOMMENDATION 1

That the structure and content of the two documents (Technical Regulations Vol I Part I and the Manual on WIGOS) be considered and any specific guidance be conveyed to TT-WRM

WMO

TT-WRM: Deliverablesii. Steps / timeline; < REC 3

TT-WRM

RECOMMENDATION 3

That the timeline and review process (paragraph 8 and its Annex) be endorsed, with an indication of whether there will be an opportunity for final reporting to a meeting of ICG-WIGOS before mid-February in 2015

WMO

TT-WRM: Deliverablesiii. Updated TORs for TT-WRM

To develop a high-level WIGOS Framework Architecture;

To become familiar with WMO Technical Regulations (WMO-No. 49) and other regulatory material relevant to WIGOS;

To develop the WIGOS sections in WMO Technical Regulations (WMO-No. 49), and the Manual and Guide on WIGOS;

To propose mechanisms for the update and maintenance of the WIGOS regulatory material (Technical Regulations, Manual and Guide on WIGOS) and, in order to maintain structural relationships between related documents, propose complementary mechanisms for the update and maintenance of related documents (existing, planned and future Manuals and Guides with some relevance to WIGOS);

To submit the WIGOS sections in WMO Technical Regulations (WMO-No. 49), and the Manual on WIGOS to the ICG-WIGOS for its coordination with and reporting to EC and for its eventual recommendation for approval by Cg-XVII;

To coordinate regularly with the ICG-WIGOS as needed and report at least annually to the ICG-WIGOS on the progress;

To complete its tasks by May 2015

TT-WRM

WMO

Guidelines on the Preparation of Tech Regs EC-65 requested that this be published

Has been a helpful reference for TT-WRM, by proving up to date guidance on how to formulate regulatory material

It indicates that in future: Regulatory material will have a

higher profile as WMO endeavours to strengthen the culture of compliance

Regulatory material will need to be reviewed and updated regularly

TT-WRM

WMO

TT-WRM: Matters for ICG-WIGOS consideration Matters for ICG-WIGOS consideration (paragraphs 12 to 17)

(TT-WRM-2): process for endorsement by Technical Commissions (TT-WRM-3): use of "should" versus "shall" provisions (TT-WRM-3): propose to TT-WMD to consider whether a smaller

inner-core could be identified (TT-WRM-3): limited reference to WIR, more suitable for guides (TT-WRM-3): applying "shall" to WMO Hydrological Obs System (TT-WRM-3): future WIGOS Guide: "thin layer" approach (TT-WRM-3): other items remaining on issues log From "issues log": …. later slide ……. < REC 2

TT-WRM

RECOMMENDATION 2

That the matters raised in paragraphs 12 to 17 be considered

WMO

Membership of TT-WRM Membership of TT-WRM < REC 4

a) CBS: Chair: Russell Stringer; Australia

b) CIMO: Volker Kurz; Germany

c) CAS: Prof. Ann R. Webb; UK

d) CHy: Dr. Paul J. Pilon; Canada

e) JCOMM: Mr Chris Marshall; Canada (replacement of Pierre Blouch)

f) CCl: Dr Pierre Bessemoulin, France

g) CAeM: -- (there has been no replacement of Mitternast Gregor)

h) AMDAR: Jitze van der Meulen; Netherlands

i) GCW: Steve Colwell; UK (replacement of Jeffrey R. Key)

TT-WRM

RECOMMENDATION 4

That consideration be given to whether TT-WRM should look for a new member to make an expert contribution with respect to the WIGOS space-based sub-system

WMO

TT-WRM: Future meetings and the longer termFuture meetings < REC 6

Correspondence, Webex connectionsFace-to-face meeting this year if necessary?

WIGOS regulatory material in the longer term

< REC 5Implementation will need to continue beyond Congress in 2015

Plan and develop WIGOS Guide Enhance content of Tech Regs as

WIGOS technical implementation proceeds

phase out Manual on the GOS

TT-WRM

RECOMMENDATION 6

That it make provision for a face-to-face meeting of TT-WRM in July or August 2014, which would go ahead if necessary to address the volume and complexity of feedback

RECOMMENDATION 5

That its view of an extended time period for the further implementation of WIGOS beyond Congress in 2015 include consideration of the need to further develop and maintain WIGOS Regulatory Material

WMO

Discussion of issues and recommendations Matters for ICG-WIGOS consideration (paragraphs 12 to 17 and Annex)

(TT-WRM-2): process for endorsement by Technical Commissions

A mature version of the WIGOS technical regulations (two documents) will be circulated to Presidents of Technical Commissions for review and feedback, allowing three months for consultation with their experts/advisors, from mid-April 2014.

Consultation will include presentation to TC and/or MG sessions where the timeline allows this up to September 2014.

• This approach was formulated by TT-WRM-2 based on advice• This approach was described to recent PTC meeting by Chair ICG-

WIGOS

ANY FURTHER GUIDANCE ON THIS TOPIC?

TT-WRM

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WMO


(TT-WRM-3): use of "should" versus "shall" provisions

"Shall" indicates a standard which is mandatory for Members to comply with, while "should" indicates a recommended practice (strongly urged but not mandatory). The Guidelines provide some description of when to use these.

Has been a topic of discussion and different views:• How onerous should the tech regs be? Mostly "shall", "should"?• In the case of Hydrology, most existing regs are "should" recognising that

the practices are not yet widely adopted, reflected in 8• QMF is formulated using "should", reflected in section 2.6• Conversely, metadata standards are "shall" in 2.5• Sometimes a conditional approach is taken "if …. Then shall ….."

ANY FURTHER GUIDANCE ON THIS TOPIC?

TT-WRM

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WMO


(TT-WRM-3): propose to TT-WMD to consider whether a smaller inner-core could be identified

3.6.6 TT-WRM discussed many aspects of the WIGOS core metadata specification following this presentation and then also progressively through the week. Two basic concerns were (i) whether the draft would be reviewed and finalised in time for inclusion in the first edition of the WIGOS regulatory material, and (ii) whether the large number of proposed elements would be accepted by a strong majority of Members or whether a smaller inner-core might be needed as the really achievable starting point. In the end TT-WRM decided to propose to TT-WMD to consider whether a smaller inner-core could be identified.

3.6.7 TT-WRM also decided that the core metadata specification would be included in the WIGOS Manual as an Appendix (a coherent section that could be updated in a self-contained manner, and could be referenced from chapter 2 as well as other chapters of the regulatory material). Ultimately, other (non-core) metadata that might be critically important for some but not all components of WIGOS should also be specified in this Appendix. Additionally, management metadata will also need to be specified to ensure Members tell each other what observations they can expect to be available and on what schedules.

TT-WRM

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WMO


(TT-WRM-3): limited reference to WIR, more suitable for guides

Limited references to the WIGOS Information Resource (WIR) and the OSCAR tool are appropriate for the WIGOS regulatory material.

More extensive documentation and instructions, for example a user guide, are needed outside the framework of the technical regulations.

• Early drafts had material about WIR and OSCAR that was reduced and largely moved to an attachment 2.1 (which has status as guidance, non-regulatory)

TT-WRM

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WMO


(TT-WRM-3): applying "shall" to WMO Hydrological Obs System

An approach has been to, as much as possible, express provisions having common application across all WMO component observing systems. Many of the common provisions stated as "shall" have been a concern for the WMO Hydrological Observing System due to the limited implementation by Members so far.

Various formulations were attempted to keep simple provisions while accommodating this real difference for WHOS. In the end we have drafted a conditional approach, so "shall" provisions are interpreted as applying to those Members who chosen to contribute to the WMO Hydrological Observing System:

"In the case of hydrological observations, there is not a widely implemented base of global exchange and global standard practices and procedures…….. Members making their hydrological observations available through the WMO Hydrological Observing System (WHOS) must comply with the provisions set forth within this Manual"

TT-WRM

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WMO


(TT-WRM-3): future WIGOS Guide: "thin layer" approach

Although there was little discussion at TT-WRM-3 about preparations for a future WIGOS Guide, there was enough of a discussion to reveal a broad favouritism for the concept of a "thin layer" guide providing pointers to all the good information available from other sources (existing and future guidance and technical material of the different WIGOS component observing systems).

TT-WRM

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WMO


(TT-WRM-3): other items remaining on issues log From "issues log"

Relating to metadata:• President of CIMO expresses a similar concern as TT-WRM, that the

core metadata that Members "shall" retain and report is big list which will be beyond the ability of many Members to comply with. Can it be split to a 1st (or inner-core) and 2nd level?

• So far there is little information about how and where to make metadata available, including timeliness.

• Appendix 2.1 describes some metadata elements as "conditional" but does not explain the conditions under which it is mandatory to retain/report the element.

• The additional columns in Appendix 2.1 provide different perspectives but don't inform Members clearly what they need to do – the columns need to relate more directly to collection of data (by observing system)

TT-WRM

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WMO



Training

Our capacity development section has a large focus on training – to the exclusion of other capacity development activities. We need to consult with the Training section of WMO and we probably need to refer to the new Parts of Vol I that will be reviewed and published by the next Congress meeting. That is Part V and Part VI

TT-WRM

WMO



Lead Centres

We need to develop a more general name for lead and monitoring centres; something that adequately represents the centres across the full suite of WIGOS monitoring programs.

Resolution:

The Manual Figure 1 uses the expression: "WMO designated monitoring centres" and in the text of provision 1.4.3.2 expands this description as "WMO designated Centres for performance monitoring (including Lead Centres, and Monitoring Centres)"

TT-WRM

WMO



Terminology "inter-calibration"

This is an ill-defined term which confuses two different actions:

Calibration: one instrument must already be formally traceable to SI, then the second instrument establishes a traceability chain.

Inter-Comparison: two instruments are compared to reduce mutual bias, but it does not address traceability.

Satellite expertise for section 4

It is appropriate to conduct a round of expert review, comment & feedback, consulting the satellite community to gain their expertise and perspective.

TT-WRM

WMO



Definitions

There remains a number of terms without finalised definitions, including:• What is a "component" of an observing system?• Stations / systems / platforms ….• X• x

TT-WRM

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WMO



Terminology for "standards"

In Tech Regs Vol IV, the WMO standards are called "WMO standards" while other formal published standards (such as ISO standards) are referred to as "Standards". Does this convention apply only in Vol IV? Should ther term "WIGOS standard" be used?

TT-WRM

WMO



Archival of observations

There is no clearly documented explanation of the extent, if any, to which WIGOS includes coverage of WMO arrangements for archival of observations and observational metadata.

This might change with the current review of the WIP?

TT-WRM

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WMO



Introduction to Tech Regs Vol I

We have some information that we'd like to put there, but we're uncertain who has the mandate to write that section.

TT-WRM

WMO



Coverage of key topics

EC-65 decided to accept our adjusted headings for the regulatory material, and they noted “that the two removed headings (Climatological data and GCOS and on Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation) will be covered across the other WIGOS sections and thus will not be lost”. The full title removed was “Climatological data and Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) ECVs”. We need to make good on this assurance, for example we have included the Climate Monitoring Principles but we haven’t yet mentioned ECVs.

TT-WRM

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WMO



TT-WRM

Figure 1: responding to the fundamental requirement of the QMF, that a "process approach" be adopted, this is a first attempt to describe WIGOS processes.

Entities described as undertaking roles are:Data Users in Application AreasWMO Regional AssociationsWMO Technical CommissionsWMO MembersWMO designated Centres for performance monitoring (including Lead Centres, and Monitoring Centres)

The text sates that all the processes are ultimately carried out by Member countries through one of the following modes of collaboration !

WMO



Regulations can only apply to entities that are signatories to the WMO convention?

…. Can't apply to "Programmes" for example?

TT-WRM

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WMO



WMO's International Meteorology Vocabulary (IMV) – should we propose that it be included in the Regulatory Material?

TT-WRM

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WMO



How do we structure provisions to reflect the contributions of "other" networks/systems to WMO?

We strike ambiguity between NMHS networks/systems and national networks/systems contributing to WMO.

Is a WMO station/platform any one that is registered with WMO?

Can WMO then use data from stations/platforms not registered with it, eg. By allowing it to be accessible through the WIS search and discovery?

TT-WRM

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WMO



Quality: diverse concepts, illustrated by QMF (set of required characteristics) versus core metadata (third group "quality"). Maybe that metadata could be called "uncertainty"?

TT-WRM

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WMO

Discussion of issues and recommendations

TT-WRM

RECOMMENDATION 1

That the structure and content of the two documents (Technical Regulations Vol I Part I and the Manual on WIGOS) be considered and any specific guidance be conveyed to TT-WRM

RECOMMENDATION 3

That the timeline and review process (paragraph 8 and its Annex) be endorsed, with an indication of whether there will be an opportunity for final reporting to a meeting of ICG-WIGOS before mid-February in 2015

RECOMMENDATION 2

That the matters raised in paragraphs 12 to 17 be considered

RECOMMENDATION 4

That consideration be given to whether TT-WRM should look for a new member to make an expert contribution with respect to the WIGOS space-based sub-system

RECOMMENDATION 5

That its view of an extended time period for the further implementation of WIGOS beyond Congress in 2015 include consideration of the need to further develop and maintain WIGOS Regulatory Material

RECOMMENDATION 6

That it make provision for a face-to-face meeting of TT-WRM in July or August 2014, which would go ahead if necessary to address the volume and complexity of feedback

www.wmo.int

Thank you for your attentionwww.wmo.int/wigos

report of chair, tt-wrm (doc. 4.1 )

Documents

wigos rec

wigos sections

wrm rec

icgwigos considerationmatters

session of tt

membership of tt

wigos meetingsa series

technical commissionsttwrm