Operational Readiness Level

ORL published as paper in Frontiers in Marine Science

Designed by the Ocean Forecasting Co-Design Team, The OceanPrediction DCC Operational Readiness Level (ORL) is a tool that serves system developers and users to assess the operational development status of an ocean forecasting system. It supports system managers in understanding the operational capabilities and pinpoint gaps that should be addressed to further mature a system. Additionally, the ORL assists users in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the system's reliability, usability, and strengths. Improving the ORL qualification of a service is a means to identify and implement best practices and standards in ocean forecasting, enhancing the overall operability of the system.

To access the ORL published on 18 Nov 2024 as a peer-reviewed paper, click here: Frontiers | Promoting best practices in ocean forecasting through an Operational Readiness Level.

About the ORL guide

The ORL comprises three independent digits designed to indicate the operational status of an Ocean Forecasting System. Each digit ranges from 0 (minimum) to 5 (maximum), decimal numbers being allowed.

These digits correspond to distinct aspects related to operationality:

• The First Digit #1 reflects the reliability of the service, focusing on production aspects rather than product quality.
• The Second Digit #2 monitors the level of validation for the service. 
• The Third Digit #3 assesses the various degrees of product dissemination achievable by the system.

The ORL serves as a tool for system developers to assess the operational status of a ocean forecasting system. Improving the ORL qualification of a service is a means to implement best practices in ocean forecasting, enhancing the overall operability of the system.

Adopting the ORL has the following advantages:

• A way to guide, stimulate and track services development progression for an individual system, but also collectively within a region or the world.
• Promote the adoption of tools, data standards and Best Practices. The ORL is linked to the OceanPrediction DCC architecture and the use of its tools and associated data standards. System developers can assess where improvements to their systems are needed to progress up the readiness ladder.
• A mechanism to endorse services to join common frameworks. The ORL can serve to establish operational thresholds for common framework managers to permit the integration of new systems (i.e., into Digital Twins).
• A mechanism for system managers to inform users of a justified level of trust when applying its results to management and policy.