Organizational Structure

The Structure of DGIWG

The principle role of DGIWG addresses interoperability of geospatial information amongst, coalition forces, as well as the exchange of data between military mapping agencies. The DGIWG structure has been designed to expedite the flow of information between technical participants and policy makers. Decisions regarding policy and program are address by the Plenary which is chaired by the Director of DGIWG. The Policy & Technical Strategy Group (PTSG) advises the Director and includes two sub committees, one on Requirements and the other on Outreach. Since the work is requirements driven, the Requirements group reviews and validates all requirements prior to work item approval. Upon approval, work items are executed as part of the Technical Panels' program of work. The technical work is divided into three panels which handle data access and exchange, data structure and syntax, and data services. All organization components are brought together in in an annual Conference.

To fulfill the DGIWG organizational strategy, the following organizational structure for DGIWG has been adopted.

Objectives of the Organizational Structure

The organizational structure of the Defence Geospatial Information Working Group (DGIWG) is designed to be a flat structure with essentially two levels. One level addresses policy and management issues and the second level addresses technical issues. Both levels come together in the annual DGIWG Conference for information exchange and approval of outputs.

The objectives of this structure are to provide a high level of communication between the various components of DGIWG, provide operational efficiency, and provide customer responsiveness. To achieve high level communications, all DGIWG members will meet in one Plenary meeting at the end of the Conference to discuss policies issues, and to approve technical work brought up from the technical level, or policies proposed by members or introduced from the Policy & Technical Strategy Group (PTSG). The Plenary works by formulating and approving resolutions.

Description of the DGIWG Structure

Groups addressing different aspects of the Program of Work are called "Technical Panels". Three Technical Panels are currently established. Each has a chair responsible for managing the projects assigned to that Technical Panel. Technical Panels meet primarily for coordination purposes at the DGIWG Conference and with Project Teams as required. Coordination across Technical Panels is facilitated through Thematic Coordinators, who focus on themes such as, imagery & gridded data, and portrayal. Technical Panels are established by the DGIWG by resolution of the Plenary and exist for an indefinite term.

Under each Technical Panel, a number of Project Teams exist. Individual tasks in the Program of Work are handled by Project Teams. A Project Team exists only while the task is being executed. When its work is completed, the Project Team is dissolved. A Project Team has a Project Team Leader and optionally an Editor to assist the Team Leader. Team size is usually 4-6 people in order to maintain efficiency. Particular countries are asked to commit to be members of the Project Team for the duration of the work. To do work on a Project Team, nations have to commit resources, and any DGIWG members that would wish to attend a Project Team meeting that are not members of the Project Team would be considered to be observers. Coordination across projects is facilitated through the Thematic Coordinators. Where a topic has not yet had a Project Team established, or where a topic is covered by several project teams, there is a role for the Thematic Coordinator to ensure that the responsibility for such topics are adequately covered.

Maintenance responsibilities are assigned to Maintenance Teams. For instance, projects would handle the ongoing registration of items in a registry. Maintenance Teams would also handle corrections and clarifications to existing standards. Substantive changes will be addressed by a Project Team to develop an amendment or a new addition of a standard.

The Technical Panels report to the DGIWG Plenary, which acts as a committee of the whole. The Plenary is convened as part of the DGIWG Conference. The principal task of the Plenary is to discuss and pass resolutions submitted by the DGIWG member nations or by the Technical Panel Leaders and the PTSG Chair.

The Policy & Technical Strategy Group (PTSG) has the role of planning and management of DGIWG. It has a limited membership, appointed by the Director of DGIWG, and is based on criteria such as the level of activity in DGIWG and background in the committee. This Group has no power itself. It advises the Director of DGIWG and the DGIWG Plenary, although it also has oversight of the work being carried out within the Requirements and Outreach Groups.

The Requirements and Outreach Groups provides a connection to the coalition operations community (for example, C4I) to ensure that their requirements are well understood and that DGIWG standards and specifications transition effectively to operational use.