Open Grid Forum

The Open Grid Forum (OGF) was formed from the merger of the Global Grid Forum (GGF) and the Enterprise Grid Alliance (EGA). GGF had a rich history and established international presence within the academic and research communities along with a growing participation from industry. EGA was a consortium focused on developing and promoting enterprise grid solutions. Together, we have the opportunity to deliver faster results, communicate more clearly and collaborate more effectively with other grid organizations and standards bodies.

The Open Grid Forum is a community-driven, open organization that balances the requirements of organizational and individual members to enable a result-oriented environment with broad participation and mandate from the key stakeholders and the international grid community at large. Figure 1 (Organizational Framework, pictured below) includes several statements of intent critical to the overall design and operation of OGF.

The Structure & Governance of OGF encourages 'grass roots' participation and promotes inclusiveness and technical meritocracy. It is also designed to enable focused leadership, accountability and fast decision-making throughout the various levels of the organization. Figure 2 (OGF Organizational Structure, pictured below) illustrates how OGF is structured.

The Board of Directors (BoD) provides guidance and oversight through their active strategic and policy leadership. Participation on the 15-seat board of directors is open to all OGF members via one of two paths - Organizational or At-Large. Members that sponsor at the Platinum level are eligible for one of up-to-10 Organizational board seats. All members (including individual members) can nominate candidates for the up-to-5 At-large seats and all members (except Platinum members) areligible to serve as At-Large directors. Responsibilities of the BoD include:

• Legal and fiduciary responsibility for the overall health and success of the organization
• Appointment of individuals to operational leadership and key committees positions based on the nominating processes of the organization.
• Approval of strategic and financial plans, priorities, policies and procedures.

OGF organizes much of the day to day wo the organization into Functions, Areas and Groups. There are 6 major functions within OGF Enterprise, eScience, Standards, Marketing, Regional and Operations. Within each function are Areas, and within Areas there are Groups.

Functions manage Areas of like focus and are led by Vice Presidents. Areas manage multiple Groups and are led by Area Directors. Groups pursue charters that includes milestones and deliverables.

The day-to-day leadership and management of the Open Grid Forum activities is the responsibility of the President, Vice Presidents, Area directors (which constitute the Open Grid Forum Steering Group – GFSG), and the Group Chairs who manage specific groups and insure that the charter, milestones and deliverables of the group are are achieved.

• The position of President is a volunteer position, nominated and appointed by the Board of Directors. The President is a full time chief executive officer representing the interests of all constituents within the organization and is responsible for general supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of the organization. The President is also a non-voting member of the Board of Directors, except in the case of a tie vote of the Board where the President is entitled to cast a vote to break the tie.

• The functional Vice Presidents of Community, Enterprise, eScience, Standards, Marketing, and Regional are volunteer positions. These positions are nominated via the Nominating Committee (NOMCOM) process and approved by the board with the exception of the Vice President of Operations. The Vice President Operations is also the Executive Director of the OGF Non-Profit Corporation; this position is hired by the president,approved by the board and is a full-time paid staff position within OGF. Vice Presidents are responsible for leadership within a particular function and teaming cross-functionally to deliver on the strategic goals of the organization.

• The position of Area Directors (AD) within each function is a volunteer position. These positions are nominated via the NOMCOM process and approved by the board.

Area Directors are responsible for particular areas of focus within a function. In technical areas of the organization, Area Directors manage and facilitate groups, milestones and deliverables. These AD's are usually in defined areas of expertisesuch as architecture, data, management, or grid technology research. In other areasuch as Marketing, Area Directors work 'at-large' on strategies, plans and definedprojects. Both types of Area Directors are responsible for working within their areasand functions and teaming cross-functionally to deliver on the strategic goals of the organization.

• Group Chairs manage the milestones and deliverables of a chartered group. Group chairs and group members are the bedrock of the Open Grid Forum and these active participants are key stakeholders and contributors within the OGF community.

• Advisory Committee (ADCOM): The Advisory Council is composed of invited experts from the international grid community appointed by the President and Advisory Committee Chair and approved by the Board of Directors. The ongoing makeup of the committee will be targeted to provide a balance of perspectives within the international grid community (academic/research; industry/enterprise; government; IT vendors). The Advisory Committee is responsible for providing strategic advice on critical regional, governmental, technical and policy issassociated with grid adoption world-wide. The Advisory Council has no formal governance role within the new organization

• Nominating Committee (NOMCOM): The Nominating Committee (NOMCOM) is chartered by the Board to execute nomination processes for leadership positions for the new organization each year. The NOMCOM presents a slate of candidates for leadership positions for approval by the board. Approval of leadership positions requires a supermajority of board members. The ongoing makeup of the nominatiocommittee will be a Chair, the previous year's chair, a liaison representative appointed by the GFSG (all non-voting) and will be composed of 10 volunteers from the community (voting members). The 10 volunteer voting members are randomly selected for service each year and cannot serve in a leadership capacity (President, Vice President, Area Director) during their year of nominating committee service.

• Technical Strategy Committee (TSC): The Technical Strategy Committee (TSC)is responsible for developing the overall technical strategy and direction of the organization. The TSC manages the technical strategy and roadmap process, develops and maintains the OGF Technology Strategy and Roadmap Document, facilitates communication with the other OGF functions, and ensures that work meets the aims and objectives of key stakeholders within the community. The TSC also produces periodic 'position papers' on critical issues associated with the technical direction of the organization that need timely clarification within the industry.

Organizations seek compelling reasons to fund and participate in the Open Grid Forum. Individuals, whether affiliated with a sponsoring organization or not, seek compelling reasons to contribute their skill and expertise to the organization. The OGF Membership Program is designed to maximize operational funding and individual participation - balancing the need for compelling tiered entitlements for funding the organziation and compelling reasons for participating in the organization. Delivering clear benefits to all constituents in an open, transparent manner helps insure broad technical participation andadequate funding to accomplish our mission.

• Organizational Members: Leading business, government, academic and scientific organizations from around the world join the Open Grid Forum (OGF) to accelerate the adoption of grids. Organizational members are critical contributors to the success of our mission through funding and active participation of employees and affiliates.

• Individual Members: Key individuals leading the adoption of grid solutions within their respective communities join OGF to contribute to the success of our mission through active participation and leadership at all levels of the organization. Working together, we share information, prioritize requirements, develop standards and best practices, and champion the application and adoption of grid worldwide.

• Member benefits include:
  • INFLUENCE – On Directions and Priorities
  • RECOGNITION – As a Leader Driving Grid Adoption
  • INSIGHT – Into Grid Standards and Best Practices

The Open Grid Forum is a non-profit corporation qualifying as a tax-exempt entity under Section 501(C)(6) of the United States Internal Revenue Code and the corresponding provisions of state law. OGF is organized under the General Corporation Law of the state of Delaware within the United States of America.