519 



Iterative Nature of the Process 



It is seldom possible to plan an investigation so completely that it 

 can be carried out from start to finish as a straight-line process. Each 

 additional element of data tends to alter the direction and emphasis of 

 the findings. Each time the growing body of data is analyzed, new 

 questions arise that necessitate further consultations with technical 

 sources, and the acquisition of further data. The evaluation of a com- 

 plete study is inherently and desirably a process of repetition and re- 

 view. It is desirable because the end product of such an iterative opera- 

 tion is more compatible with all objectiA^es and constraints, and takes 

 account of more variables and opportunities for error. Ideally, when 

 the final report has been written, it would be desirable to circulate it 

 to all persons who contributed information to the project, soliciting 

 their second thoughts and supplementary papers. These comments 

 would then be subjected to the same analytical process, and a more 

 mature and acceptable report would almost certainly result. There 

 is no substitute for time. Time and patient analysis and repetitive 

 search for information are indispensable in the maturing of under- 

 standing of a complex technical problem within an infinitely more 

 complex human society. 



Achievement of maturity and fuU development of structured informa- 

 tion 



The problem of maturity, of allowing for time to ripen the under- 

 standing of a technical issue, is a critical one in the congressional con- 

 text. Pressures of urgency and competing demands make difficult the 

 jDreservation of continuity of congressional attention. Issues cannot be 

 given the attention and time they need to ripen and develop. Every 

 Member of Congress is both a generalist and a specialist. The obliga- 

 tions of office compel him to decide on many issues. His opportunity 

 to devote the time needed to become a specialist in a chosen area of 

 legislative concern is limited by the other demands on his time and 

 attention. 



One answer, often proposed, is that the business of Congress be 

 scrutinized to find ways of eliminating low priority and needless 

 thieves of time. The computer, work simplification surveys, and other 

 modern tools suggest themselves in this connection. 



A second answer is to increase the reliance on the staffs to Con- 

 gress — making them larger, giving them more duties, and strength- 

 ening their professional competence in technical areas and disciplines. 

 This process is going on, and seems likely to continue. 



A third approach, which will l^e discussed in the concluding section 

 of the chapter, is to devise ways of increasing the amount of time avail- 

 able for each issue by identifying it sooner. The hypothesis is this: 

 If an issue can be certified for congressional study at an early point, 

 and surveillance maintained over it by skilled people, the process of 

 maturation can occur without consuming congressional time and at- 

 tention, until the need for action is manifest. Issues might then be 

 dealt with by the Congress on an orderly time schedule, with less 

 reliance on crash decisiomiiaking and a reduced frequency of sudden 

 sensational alarms. 



Organization of a system to achieve and mmntain technical perspective 



This concluding section of the study suggests a number of congres- 

 sional needs for scientific and technological information services. No 



