Module K | Coordination

A large, interdisciplinary and long-term project like ITMS requires good coordination to facilitate communication within ITMS and with its partners, and to ensure that the project goals are met.

The ITMS2-K (COORDINATION, the “2” stands for Phase 2) module coordinates the entire ITMS project by coordinating activities within each module and promoting optimal exchange between the ITMS modules. The work of ITMS2-K ensures that Deliverables and Milestones are met on time, critical contributions and bottlenecks are identified, and associated risks are mitigated. Concepts of the operational system are developed and adjusted according to project progress and common decisions, specifically considering the interests and limitations of the institutions providing the operational ITMS. The tasks of ITMS2-K include, for example, meeting planning, tracking project progress, and coordinating data flows at the interfaces of the ITMS modules, and coordinates the creation of outreach products for the public and ITMS users in collaboration with Module V.

In general, ITMS is steered by the project coordinators Dr.Christoph Gerbig and Dr. Andrea Kaiser-Weiss and the coordination group, supported by the K-Working-Group, led by Dr. Beatrice Ellerhoff (DWD).

ITMS-K Working Group:
Dr. Beatrice Ellerhoff (DWD) - Module K
Dr. Rachael Akinyede (MPI-BGC) - Module M
Dr. Maximilian Reuter (Uni Bremen) - Module B
Dr. Michael Weimer (Uni Bremen) - Module B
Dr. Hannes Imhof (KIT IMK-IFU) - Module Q&S
Dr. Jennifer Müller-Williams (DWD) - Module K
Dr. Andrea Kaiser-Weiss (DWD) - Module K, V, and M

A detailed description of the 5 work packages in ITMS2-K is listed below:
 

ITMS2-K WP1 | Communication, meetings and reporting

This workpackage carefully plans and facilitates the project communication by a convenient online communication tool, data exchange tool and webpage. Meetings and telecons are organized to ensure progress tracking, risk management and issue solving. The communication is structured around module milestones and workpackage deliverables. A regular communication is maintained within the participating workpackages, and specific module-related meetings are held as needed.

Responsible person: Dr. Rachael Akinyede (MPI-BGC)

 

 

 

 

 

 ITMS2-K WP2 | Planning and adjusting the operational concept

This work package supports the preparation of ITMS moving from research into an operational system and services. It brings together the Coordination Group and operational partners to jointly design the system, agree on priorities and decision-making, and identify any technical or resource constraints. Through an ongoing process of iterating the scientific advances, user requirements and operational system limitations, the partners will develop and improve the operational concept, ensuring it is state-of-the-art, deployable, transparent and aligned with the needs of the organisations that will ultimately run the system.

Responsible persons: Dr. Jennifer Müller-Williams (DWD)

 

ITMS2-K WP3 | Benchmarking and planning of Phase 3

The workpackage will guide the benchmarking in ITMS, which means analysing the status of ITMS and provide recommendations for Phase 3. Lessons learned will be used to improve the coordination process, especially in the framework of dedicated benchmarking meetings. In detail, the project progress will be managed by benchmarking against iteratively adjusted First‑Generation concepts (WPK.202). Moreover, traceability matrices will be applied and extended to measure the project’s progress based on defined key performance indicators and outreach‑oriented matrices assessing ITMS’s external success. Uncertainty reduction and its propagation across components will be monitored, and the requirements of internal and external users (Module V) will be incorporated.

Responsible person: Dr. Beatrice Ellerhoff (DWD)

 

ITMS2-K WP4 | Module B observation data and know-how provision

This work package coordinates the observation data flow from Module B for use by other modules. It tracks data provision according to project requirements, focussing on coverage, quality, timeliness, format and content specifications, and issue communication, with the overarching goal of defining and setting up an operational system. Observational gaps will be identified in collaboration with Module B, and measures to close them will be initiated. Contributions from Module B to overall progress, delivery status and ITMS2-B benchmarks will be tracked. The WP links the outcomes of Module B with the other ITMS2 Modules and serves as the central entry point for matters related to ITMS2-B. This includes summarising achieved deliverables and milestones and communicating issues between Module B and the other Modules. In addition, the WP will establish, iterate and consolidate internal system requirements and forward them to ITMS2-B, while incorporating the requirements for the definition of the (pre-)operational system into the communication with the other modules.

Responsible persons: Dr. Maximilian Reuter (Uni Bremen) and Dr. Michael Weimer (Uni Bremen)

 

ITMS2-K WP5 | Module Q&S bottom-up GHG flux data and know-how provision

This work package serves as the central data and coordination hub for the Q&S module and ensures a seamless flow of data from ITMS-Q&S to ITMS-M, as well as within ITMS2-Q&S itself. By overseeing the documentation, distribution and analysis of data sets, it ensures that the data products are consistent with the ITMS objectives. It actively manages project progress, promotes internal and cross-module communication – including close collaboration with ITMS2-V – and lays the groundwork for the transfer of Q&S results into an operational system for monitoring greenhouse gases (GHGs) in Germany, as well as for supporting national GHG reporting and policy advice.

The work package focuses on three main areas of activity. Firstly, it provides bottom-up data on GHG fluxes and uncertainty estimates, which are monitored in terms of resolution, quality, timeliness and grid specifications. The focus is on the ITMS Q&S Data Stream, an operational pipeline for managing the data life cycle. In collaboration with ITMS2-M, V.201, datasets are analysed to identify and close data gaps at an early stage. Secondly, it coordinates the distribution of activity data amongst internal and external ITMS partners. Finally, it systematically tracks the progress of the modules and compares the overall contributions to ensure quality and transparency.

Responsible persons: Dr. Hannes Imhof (KIT IMK-IFU)