The National Weather Service (NWS) adopted a new requirements management process in August 2004. This process is called the Operations and Services Improvement Process (OSIP). The process is designed to streamline the planning efforts for new technology infusion into operations and allow for management decision making with respect to the priorities of each project. This paper will summarize the impact of this process on the technology infusion within the NWS.

The process consists of a series of stages called Gates in which the project is reviewed. Documentation must be prior to each Gate. This documentation includes a Statement of Need, Concept of Operations, Operational Requirements Document, Project Plan, Business Case and Technical Requirements Document. Each project is prioritized both by an objective scheme relating to Mission Priority and Impact to Performance goals and subjectively by the regional headquarters representing the NWS field priorities.

Over 100 projects have been submitted through the system and many are in various Gates. The total cost to complete all of these items is over $ 500 Million dollars. This paper will examine the impact of this process on the NWS and impact of the Prioritization and Decision making process. The paper will also highlight areas of improvement which are needed and contrast the OSIP process with the lack of process which preceded its inception.