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standard begins with a project idea based on an identified need
for uniformity in operation or supplies. Uniformity in operation
means easy exchange of information, signals or equipment among different
groups working in the same area. Uniformity in supply means manufactures
are able to design, build and specify devices to meet the needs
of different groups. One example of operation is the NIM Standard
and one of supply is the Germanium Detector Standard. The project
idea is formally know as a project authorization request (PAR).
This PAR is developed by the NPSS Standards Chairman with the help
of others interested in the standard. A working group is formed
at this time. The working group Chairman leads the development process.
The PAR is submitted to the IEEE Standards Board for approval. The
Standards Board determines if it is needed and if enough volunteers
are available to develop it (the working group).
The document produced can be either a standard containing mandatory
requirements, a recommended practice outlining preferred procedures,
or a guide offering suggestions for working with technology. Projects
can be new standards, revisions of existing standards or amendments
to existing standards. Standards have a five-year life after which
they must be reaffirmed.
The IEEE Standards Board reviews PARs at the regular quarterly meetings.
A project should be completed within four years after the PAR is
approved.
With PAR approval, the development of the standard begins. Working
groups are open to the public and have well-publicized procedures
for membership, voting, officers and other areas. To assure openness,
agendas for working group meetings are distributed before the meetings
and the results of the group’s deliberations are publicly
available.
Balloting begins when the NPSS Standards Committee Chairman determines
the full standard is finished. The Chairman forms a balloting group
containing persons interested in the standard. While anyone can
contribute comments, the approval is based on votes of the eligible
members of the balloting group.
Balloting is a balanced process that prevents any one group or company
from dominating the process. Balloters are separated into three
classes: producers, users, or general interest. The general interest
group is a broad category that includes government officials, consultants
and end users. No interest category can be more than half of the
balloting group. The balloting goal is to obtain the greatest consensus.
A standard must have at least 75% response to the ballot for the
ballot to be valid. At least 75% of the returned ballots must vote
“yes” for the standard to be approved. In addition,
to be approved, no more than 30% of the returned ballots can be
abstentions.
The balloting process lasts from 2 to 3 months to allow ample time
for comments. The balloters can approve, disapprove, or abstain.
They can also add comments to the approval or disapproval. All comments
received are reviewed and resolved. If there are any technical comments,
the comments or proposed changes are recirculated.
Anyone can appeal actions and decisions made during the standard
development process at any time. Before IEEE-SA Standards Board
approval, complaints are handled by the NPSS Standards Committee.
After approval, they are handled by the IEEE-SA Standards Board
if the issue is procedural or by the NPSS Standards Committee if
the issue is technical.
The IEEE Standards Board approves or disapproves standards based
on the recommendation of its Standards Review Committee. This committee
makes certain that working groups follow all the procedures and
guiding principles in drafting and balloting a standard. The Board
reviews standards quarterly. After approval, the standard is given
a final edit, then published.
To start the process of making or modifying a standard, just send
me your ideas and I will start the process.
Ron Keyser, Chair, IEEE NPSS Standards Committee, can be reached
at ORTEC, 801 S. Illinois Ave., Oak Ridge, TN 37830-7985; Phone:
+1 865 483 2146; E-mail: ronkeyser@ieee.org.
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