Lessons and Challenges for New User Development for NASA Earth Observation Data

Over the decades, user development for remote sensed data remains a challenge that must be addressed. Science Application development into decision support models and tools requires a thorough understanding of user needs and requirements, user skill level with remote sensed data and the ability to integrate new data into their existing platforms. The JPL Global Climate & Energy Program Office focused efforts toward building strategic partnerships that would enable the development of new users for using the OCO-2 and SMAP data products for science application development. The Program developed working strategic partnerships through the missions with three different agencies within USDA, the National Laboratory of Agriculture and the Environment (NLAE) with ARS/USDA, the National Agricultural Statistics Services (NASS) with USDA and the Forest Inventory and Analysis National Program of the United States Forest Service (USFS) with USDA. Among the different users for the three different branches within the same federal agency, the user profile and needs were all very different. We were able to learn and assess: 1) needs and understanding for working with the data, 2) addressing misunderstandings and encouraging development in working with data, and 3) the development of approaches for integrating data to their existing work. This presentation will provide an overview of the program effort, the methodology and implementation and best practice lessons.