Final report : maintenance capability evaluation of Bangladesh space research and remote sensing organization agro-climatic/environmental monitoring project

External evaluation covers the period 1980-85 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with personnel of the BDG"s Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO) and a special maintenance task force. The project has made significant progress in providing the BDG with the technical capability to acquire and utilize satellite data for meteorological and land use studies. The five primary direct outputs have been obtained: (1) construction and staffing of the SPARRSO facility; (2) installation of the advanced meteorological groundstation; (3) deployment of 11 data collection platforms (DCP"s); (4) training of six SPARRSO personnel in the operation and maintenance of the equipment; and (5) routine provision of timely imagery and DCP data to the BDG"s Meteorology Department and Water Development Board. However, due to delays in equipment procurement and installation, several institution-building goals have not been realized. SPARRSO has not accepted responsibility for the daily operation and maintenance of the equipment, as it must do if the project is to achieve its secondary goals of routinely providing services to various BDG user agencies. This and other issues are addressed in recommendations. Among lessons learned is the need to address the total systems aspects of high technology transfer - not only equipment and associated personnel needs but also institutional structure. An institution does not always fully realize the implications of a sudden infusion of technology, or prepare adequately for the additional resources required. Although this project was envisioned as institution building, the facility management aspects were neglected; there were no SPARRSO management personnel trained in similar facilities, nor has SPARRSO recognized the organizational structure required for the management of such a facility on a routine basis.