Analysis of Data Systems Requirements for Global Crop Production Forecasting in the 1985 Time Frame

摘要

Starting with the description for the Global Crop Production Forecasting objective as given in "Outlook for Space," Marshall Space Flight Center undertook the task to define the data systems concepts that would be needed to implement this objective in an orderly transition from experimental to operational status in the 1985 time frame. The objective was carefully examined with consideration of the data system implications. Cognizant personnel were interviewed;data processing facilities were surveyed;the impact of future technology development was assessed;pertinent documentation was studied;and previous and current activities in this objective area were evaluated. This investigation served as the foundation for quantifying the objective by obtaining from the most important users their projected information needs. These information needs were then converted into data system requirements, and the influence of these requirements on the formulation of a conceptual data system was analyzed. Any potential problem areas in meeting these data requirements were then identified in an iterative process whereby the scoped objective was further refined as the analysis continued and recommended solutions and alternatives were developed.