Review of the Draft 2019 Science Mission Directorate Science Plan (2019)
Chapter: 6 Conclusions
6
Conclusions
The draft document reviewed by the committee is qualitatively unlike the NASA science plans that have come before. In fact, it is not really a science plan, nor is it a strategic or implementation plan more generally. It is, however, something potentially very important.
Any effective organization requires leadership that clearly expresses not only its organization’s values, but also its enduring, high-level priorities and principles that will steer the organization toward realizing those values. An SMD organization that is aligned in its values, leadership priorities, and guiding principles is much more likely to achieve successful outcomes in scientific product, in fulfillment of the decadal surveys, as well as in the development and deployment of human capital.
As it stands now, the draft document is not inspiring. It lacks the clarity of purpose and vision required to achieve its intended impact, and it is too internally disconnected between the top leadership and the four science divisions that form the core of SMD’s management. If the draft document can be revised as recommended here, the divisional commitment to the stated leadership priorities and guiding principles made more explicit, and the writing overall imbued with language equal to the magnitude of the vision, the document has the potential to be transformative for SMD: ambitious, forward looking, and inspiring.
