Is SEAF right for you?
Discovery is a structured process that helps answer: “Is SEAF right for my organisation?”
It is the first step before building new capability.
- Is SEAF the right capability to help?
- Is it feasible – for example, financially, technically, organisationally, legally?
Discovery asks:
- What problem are you trying to solve?
- Is shared environmental analytics the right response?
- Is it feasible financially, technically, organisationally and legally?
Discovery is not just technical scoping. It is a strategic assessment to ensure the right problem is being addressed and that this is the right solution.
Define the problem
Clear problem definition requires understanding the full decision context.
- What regulatory, planning or investment decision is being supported?
- What statutory frameworks apply?
- What level of evidentiary robustness is required?
- What cannot currently be done with existing data or tools?
- Where do current processes fail or produce inconsistent results?
- Who holds relevant data?
- What sensitivity or classification applies?
- What legal or sovereignty constraints affect its use?
- Which organisations need to be included?
- What roles will they play?
- What incentives or obligations shape participation?
Feasibility
Before deciding if SEAF is a suitable fit for your organisation, organisations should assess feasibility and alignment.
- Alignment with participant mandates
- Clear long-term value proposition
- Scientifically coherent scope capable of producing decision-grade products
- Avoid duplication with existing programs
- Sustainable funding beyond initial grants
- Clear cost allocation model
- Viability under minimum SEAF spoke requirements
- Compatibility with approved technology catalogue
- Participant identity provider capability
- Ability to comply with security and classification ceilings
- Ability to share data through formal agreement only
- Privacy and security compliance
- Indigenous data sovereignty considerations
- Export controls and regulated data handling
- Willingness to share governance
- Steering committee capability
- Lead scientist availability
