It allows them to work more productively towards the requests that are assigned. Requests to data management staff come in several forms including data, software development, analysis and technical assistance. This seems like a lot but is not unexpected. Under this design, individuals have more opportunity to become self-sufficient. Each individual working in DM has specific goals for the amount of time allocated to the support areas described above.
First priority is given to the standard support functions like maintenance of long-term data.
It is up to that individual, in consultation with the data administrator and the Project Coordinating Panel, to make decisions about the level of requests that can be handled given his goals and constraints at present. There the request receives a resource review from the data manager and others to determine how much time and personnel should be required to fill it. Upon consideration by the PCP the request will be queued for scheduling. Feedback is given to the requester throughout the process. Determination may be made that to fulfill the request there must be an input of additional resources.