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NOAA Transition: Executive Decision Process

Summary

All parts of the organization discussed in this chapter play important roles in NOAA’s decisionmaking processes. The integration of LOs, SOs, Goal Teams, programs and councils in the Executive Decision Process (figure 3.8-1) provides the breadth of knowledge, expertise, and responsibility required to make sound decisions.

NOAA’s Executive Council

The NOAA Executive Council (NEC) provides information and advice to the Under Secretary of
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (U/S) for decisions on key NOAA issues (e.g. policy,
resources requirement approval, future directions) and to provide a clear and unambiguous
record of U/S decisions and directions.

NEC Members

• Under Secretary (Chair)
• Chief of Staff to the Under Secretary
• Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere
• Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere
• Deputy Assistant Secretary forInternational Affairs
• NOAA General Counsel
• Deputy Under Secretary
• All Assistant Administrators
• Director, Office of Marine and Aviation Operations

Advisors

• Director of Office of Communications
• Director of Office of Legislative Affairs
• Chief Information Officer
• Director of Program Analysis and Evaluation
• Chief Administrative Officer
• Chief Financial Officer
• Director of Workforce Management Office
• Director of Acquisition and Grants Office
• Director of Office of Education
• Executive Director to the Deputy Under Secretary
• Deputy Chief of Staff

Executive Secretary

• Decision Coordination Office

NOAA’s Executive Panel

The NOAA Executive Panel (NEP) provides information and advice to the Deputy Under Secretary for issues related to NOAA’s day-to-day operations and management, and coordinates and oversees the planning, programming and budgeting process. The NEP serves as the final forum ensuring issues, programs and briefings are condensed into understandable terms and recommendations for decisions before presentation to the NEC..

NEP Members

• Deputy Under Secretary (Chair)
• All Deputy Assistant Administrators
• Deputy Director, Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
• Chief Information Officer
• Chief Financial Officer
• Chief Administrative Officer
• Director, Workforce Management Office
• Director, Program Analysis & Evaluation
• Director, Acquisition and Grants Office

Advisors

• Executive Director to the DUS
• Deputy Directors of Education, General Counsel, International Affairs, Legislative Affairs, Communications and Military Affairs

Executive Secretary

• Decision Coordination Office

Executive Decision Making Roles and Responsiblities

The Under Secretary and NOAA Administrator is the agency’s senior decision maker for NOAA-wide policy.

NEC provides information and counsel to the Under Secretary concerning decisions on key agency issues and policies, and to provide a clear and unambiguous record of the agency’s decisions and directions.

NEP is a senior-level body, composed primarily of deputy-level officers, that provides information and advice to the Deputy Under Secretary in making decisions on NOAA-wide operation issues and policies. Through the NEP, NOAA senior management provides input into the day-to-day NOAA-wide management issues that do not require the attention of the NEC. It also serves as the final forum ensuring that issues, programs, and briefings are condensed into understandable terms and recommendations for decisions before presentation to the NEC.

LO/SOs are the operating branches that perform one or more of the program functions assigned to NOAA.

Goal Teams focus on generating long-term outcomes and organizing their programs to deliver a broad array of benefits for society. Goal Team Leads may attend applicable portion of meetings.

Councils and Committees are the focal point for considering NOAA-wide issues (e.g., planning, resource requirements, and policy) in various functional areas. They serve as a forum for reviewing and as appropriate deciding issues, formulating decision briefings, and condensing complex issues and programs into understandable terms and recommendations for decisions before presentations to the NEC and NEP.

Policies, detailed presentation procedures, and the list of members/advisors of the NEP and NEC
are updated as necessary and are available online at http://www.dco.noaa.gov