On the management organization and procedural standardization of geologic research

Abstract This paper outlines an organizational structure amenable to the modern, interdisciplinary approach to geologic research. This is done in light of the current Continental Deep Scientific Boring projects which are underway now. Suggestions are made for the establishment of uniform management organizational standards, procedures, and policies oriented at reducing the costs of project management, information handling, and information analysis. The development for the most part is general, and may be applied to research areas other than geology and crustal and upper mantle research. Modern-day tools, methods, systems, standards, procedures, policies, and other types which reduce the cost and time required to acquire and analyze information are available. The inauguration of these tools should be done at the early stages of the project. Their use should be managed by a joint management and scientific committee. Other recommendations are summarized. The general topics of this paper fall under the categories: geomanagement, geosystems, and management science or operations research applications in the geosciences. These fields are applied in a variety of ways in todays oil and gas industry, but their spread into the other areas of geology is only beginning.