definition of the concept of "program"

[vturpin]

Based on a discussion with the OceanGliders data team and after review of Mathieu here is a suggestion of new definition for "Program".

_"A program defines a group of platforms or cruises managed by the same lead agency (generally national). It materializes the implementing, operating, and responsible team.
A program is bound to:

• one and only one country,
• to one or several agencies (including one lead agency) with defined roles,
• to a set of contact points with defined roles

."_

[ngalbraith]

We call OceanSITES a 'program' although it's international. Most (but not all) of the 'projects' within the program are limited to one country.

Is there a specific reason for, and/or discussion of, why you've put this limit (one and only one country) on the term? Is there another term we should consider for international efforts like OceanSITES?

[anthoninlize]

Hi Nan,
In this context we would call OceanSITES (or Argo, DBCP, SOT, etc.) an 'Observing Network' (as part of the GOOS).
And under it we can find several programs.

The reason why we have put the limit of one and only one country per program is to be able to identify a responsible country for the element deployed at sea (and then deal with country EEZs, etc). We can raise the question later today if you will be in the roundtable call.