The National Weather Service is defining a new concept of operations that will enable forecast offices to focus more efficiently on high impact events while ensuring the delivery of routine products and services. This concept will build upon the teamwork exhibited within each forecast office and extend it to a group of offices. This is referred to as the cluster peer approach.

This paper defines a strategic road map and schedule that will define how and when NWS will roll out the new concept of operations. The overall approach is to implement technology changes and operations changes in alternate years so as to minimize the impact of change on the field. The Initial Operating Capability for clustered peers will be in FY2011, the year after the new AWIPS is deployed. A Final Operating Capability will follow in FY2013.