The Interagency National Climate Assessment Task Force and the U.S. Global Change Research Program held a workshop entitled Knowledge Management, Data and Review Strategies for the National Climate Assessment, on September 20-22, 2010 at the U.S. Geological Survey National Center in Reston, Virginia.

There were 59 workshop participants, including scientists, data and information managers and users, and information quality experts.  Participants were invited based on their expertise and experience with climate assessments and related activities. Through invited presentations, panels, breakout sessions, and plenary discussions, participants provided individual input that will be summarized for the Interagency National Climate Assessment Task Force and the Federal Advisory Committee (to be established).  Specific input was requested on the topics of quality assurance and rigorous peer review processes, data management strategies and ways to include new types and sources of information, and innovative methods for accessibility and information delivery.

The NCA is envisioned as both a sustainable, ongoing process that involves stakeholders and scientists across the country, and an effort to complete a report to by June 2013. In light of these two different objectives, the workshop addressed ways to manage information dynamically, provide timely and usable information, and to ensure overall data quality for sustained assessment activities. Key outcomes included identifying best practices and lessons learned from previous national assessments and other efforts, such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the World Bank Climate Portal, and the National Integrated Drought Information System. By engaging with the Office of Management and Budget at this early stage on the requirements of the Information Quality Act and Highly Influential Scientific Assessments, we can ensure that the information presented in the NCA meets the highest standards of transparency and credibility. The workshop also provided an opportunity to make connections to Federal experts who volunteered to work closely with NCA staff to draft strategies and work plans for managing the data, and to work together to ensure that the NCA is closely aligned with other Federal programs and projects.