One of the things that came out of discussion with NASA scientists was a deliberate 'science of disaster' sort of thinking. There are a number of sensors in the landing shell, in curiosity, and in the sky crane, that start transmitting as soon as they can. Further the goal of having the Mars Odyssey in position was so that as much data could be collected as possible.
Basically you have to ask the question "What science can I do at this stage?" so that during every possible outcome you extract the most data you can.
I find that a fascinating way to structure your thinking about a project.
The review board analyzing the loss of MPL could not narrow down the cause for certain, although they did identify a most likely cause. It was resolved in the future to have as much data collected as possible so that an unexplained loss could not occur again.
One key ingredient in this is line of sight to a relay orbiter.
But this is not a science driver, it is an engineering driver.
Basically you have to ask the question "What science can I do at this stage?" so that during every possible outcome you extract the most data you can.
I find that a fascinating way to structure your thinking about a project.