Handbook for Standardization
Quote: "The conception of using CoPs for standardization is ideal. The people in a CoP will be motivated by an interest in the subject, be well versed in the domain knowledge, and be willing to participate in an effort to improve the general environment. Standardization is a critical process, which requires intellectual involvement and motivation."
Comment: Great article, exploring the role of communities of practice in the standards creation process. As the article rightly states, most often standards processes are intimidating for non-technical people. Process detailed: Identify potential standards, setup community of practice (CoP). The CoP then analyzes the "x-event", develops information object definitions, submits the definitions for review, and circulates the results for public hearing. Technical input is then provided to create templates/schemas.
This model ties many loose ends - keeping the model social, user driven, varied input, low-tech (until standards requirements have been detailed). This is an extension of a topic I presented last week...and the critical balance is between standardization and innovation. Innovative concepts need to be standardized to ensure consistency...yet aggressive structure may kill future innovations. Guy Dugas (a colleague at RRC) made an important distinction: some standards are needed...the important concern is to keep the standards process democratic.