Updated: 27-04-2023
Source: China Meteorological New Press
The Voice of WMO Members
The way of China
The stunning meteorological service in China tends to trigger a variety of whys from the amazed visitors, especially international ones like those taking part in the WMO-sponsored China Study Tour program. The infrastructure (satellite, radar, supercomputer …), the products and services (DRR, PWS, social events …), international cooperation (WMC, BRI, regional centers …), good practices (legal framework, dual leadership, CMA-university partnership, Natural Oxygen Park …), key documents (the blueprints released in 1992, 2006, 2022), and so on and so forth!
The Belt and Road Forum on Early Warnings for All
More often than not, top among the answers ranks ‘planning and program’. Then another question ensues. “How can you always work out a relevant and robust plan of actions?” The long answer is usually begun with ‘the 9119 Working Method – an investigative research (IR) and effective implementation (EI) approach’.
The developing partnership between CMA and universities
As is known, a successful work cycle features a well-developed process of policy formulation, circumstance setting, facilitation and implementation, and inspection and supervision, which calls for an insightful look into the evolving things from the objective reality and a correct approach to such things according to what they are actually like. To do so, it is necessary to improve the IR-based decision-making process and the EI-based performance of a given task for practical and tangible results, with the former focusing on investigation and research, while the latter on assignment and implementation. These four actions do represent two sides of the same coin. Without objective IR, policy measures are water without source, while without follow-up assignment and EI, IR is mostly futile.
FY-3G being launched on April 16. Source: Xinhuanet
High performance computing
Early warnings being processed
On the one hand, the IR approach, which is deemed an important thinking and working method for us meteorologists as well as an invaluable heirloom for CMA in its exercising leadership in various historical periods of construction and reform, should be highly valued. As such, to know how to do IR is an important basic skill of and even a magic weapon for competent NMHS officials or executives working in a head office at any level. “Without IR, you have no right to speak" reveals how work is actually done, a practical experience that has run through the development of meteorological service in China as a whole. The IR initiative is meant to go deep into the reality for factual information on the underlying essence of events as a vehicle towards the proper understanding of objective things as they emerge and evolve. So NMHS officials must find themselves in the front line and at the grass-roots level to be exposed to the real world and realistic life for close communication of ideas and personal/physical immersion in practical activities before they pinpoint IR conclusions. According to CMA, when policies are formulated at a head office level, the IR effort takes more than 90% of the time, while final discussions and decisions less than 10%. Important matters take 90% of human energy for intensive IR for information on what happens on the ground rather than merely for reports and hearings from subordinates or briefings from a second-hand source, which is like ‘eating bread chewed by others’. It is essential to make fact-finding missions and studies when the following occasions arise: A strategic development plan or a major project is determined, especially when it is closely related to the vital interests of the people; differences linger on major issues to make it difficult to make a decision; an important lesson learnt is written up to be scaled up; a mistake has been or no breakthrough made in the performance of work; and there are signs and inklings of and a propensity for a potential problem. The materials and facts obtained from the IR tour should be carefully reviewed and analyzed, with consultations and checks repeatedly made. Individual items on the agenda should be thoroughly considered before they are decided upon at a meeting so that decisions are made in a robust and efficient manner.
Opening ceremony of Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games Source: Xinhuanet
Natural Oxygen Park (NOP)
On the other hand, it is necessary to follow the implementation of assignments closely as well. According to CMA, the assignment takes up one tenth (1/10) of the effort, while the implementation nine tenth (9/10). In the EI process, officials should not bury themselves at meetings and communications at various levels. Instead, as required by the 1/10th vs 9/10th formula, a substantial lot of time and energy should be spent on specific implementation, direct coordination, personal supervision of the priorities that have been assigned to ensure their sheer performance and square fulfillment. Only by getting it done this way from level to level can a more pragmatic and down-to-earth and less impetuous and high-flown style of work be developed. Otherwise, when reporting work, one is likely to just go by the book without knowing why. Two or three questions would put him/her at a loss to continue the ongoing process. The in-depth investigation of and close involvement in important matters allow for an adequate enough understanding of the opinions behind a decision thanks to the prior knowledge of how the underlying contributors have taken shape. Hence, a more informed and assured EI. In the long run, a correct working attitude, pragmatic working style and positive working habits can be developed over time. Otherwise, it is very likely that the ineffective implementation resulting from the unsolid foundation will lead to ‘fires’ burning everywhere in the days, months and years to come.
World Meteorological Centre Beijing
WMO Regional Training Centre Beijing
This approach focusing on IR and EI is called the 9119 Working Method (9119WM for short) since, on the one hand, it implies the weight of 90% for investigation, 10% for decision-making, 10% for assignment and 90% for implementation, while on the other hand, it just happens to involve the two emergency fire telephones of "911" and "119" as coincidently numbered in China and the United States at the same time. The implication of such characterization and appellation is that the less energy we spend on IR and EI, the more energy we will spend on ‘fire-fighting’ and ‘emergency response’. On the whole, no less effort is saved, but fewer gains are made. It may even happen that a more packed schedule might lead to a more chaotic and troubled scenario, with one assignment fulfilled to bring forth interminable problems – an awful mess to be cleared up painstakingly.
Meteorology Law of the People's Republic of China
A guideline on fostering the high-quality development of meteorology
The 9119WM, which was firstly put forward and named by the incumbent Board of CMA, is hence also known or termed as CMA’s Working Method (CWM). In an ever-changing and pressing era like nowadays in which all are longing for an enabling meteorology for a better society, a better environment and a better development, the enabler of 9119WM or CWM, which is proven in the CMA context, is supposed to be somewhat equally effective for its fellow NMHSs when they want to work more responsibly, productively and smartly.
Author: Victor JIA Ning, Jacky ZHANG, NA Xiaodan, Melinda XIAO Fang
Photos contributed by ZHUANG Baiyu, YAN Guanhua, LIU Yingjie, DING Haifang, ZHOU Qingliang, QU Ya, LIU Yiming, ZHANG Yi
Editor: Liu Shuqiao