Networking the World TM IEEE: Networking the World

Networking the World TM Tips and Tools to Speed Up the IEEE Standards Process Insulated Conductors Committee 1 November 1999

Networking the World TM Tips and Tools PAR Tips on Completing Your PAR Electronic PAR Project Management Development of the Draft Standard Electronic Document Development Tips Electronic Meetings Threaded Messaging Balloting Electronic Balloting Continuous Processing Publishing Future

Networking the World TM PAR The PAR is a legal document The PAR is the authorization of work by the IEEE-SA Standards Board IEEE extends the umbrella of indemnification to people working on an authorized standards project, if they follow the rules

Networking the World TM Tips on Completing Your PAR Spell out all acronyms Be clear in your scope and purpose Copyright agreement Indicate coordination and method Check appropriate category for document

Networking the World TM Electronic PAR As of March 1999, all PARs are to be submitted to NesCom in electronic format PAR forms located at Signature page still needs to be faxed PAR will be used to supply information to IEEE database –Accessible to standards developers via IEEE Standards website

Networking the World TM Project Management 1. Establish the role of the chair 2. Form the working group 3. Establish the calendar—target dates, meetings, etc. 4. Delegate necessary functions 5. Set goals and deadlines 6. Manage your meetings 7. Avoid copyright, trademark, and patent obstructions

Networking the World TM Development of the Draft Standard Develop an outline Assign writing among working group members Technical editor gathers inputs and ensures technical consistency Avoid writing document in meetings Work with an IEEE Project Editor Refer to IEEE Standards Style Manual for document structure

Networking the World TM Electronic Document Development Templates available –Use to develop draft standard –Speeds up production process –Avoids errors in style and structure of document –Available in Framemaker and Word; Framemaker preferred Templates located at –

Networking the World TM Electronic Document Development (continued) PDF files recommended for document delivery during development –PDF creation easy to do with needed software –Reading PDF files available through free software –PDF files are more difficult to change, making introduction of errors less of a possibility

Networking the World TM Electronic Meetings Use of IEEE Standards website to host specific areas for sponsors and working groups Sites can –Host draft files –Use threaded messaging for discussions –Hold meeting information, minutes, etc. –Any other related information 325 working groups using IEEE electronic resources

Networking the World TM Threaded Messaging Web-based means of displaying discussions New topic introduced by new message –Responses/comments shown as a connected, related list--known as “threading” –Most sites show a date stamp as well Open record of discussions Adjunct to discussions –All contained in one place rather than separate messages Not realtime--avoids chat room scheduling issues

Networking the World TM Threaded Messaging (continued) Advantages –Allows for frequent discussions of technical issues –Breaks away from traditional meeting cycle –Allows for more dialog on process than possible in a short series of meetings –Moves standard through process more rapidly Drawbacks –Requires proactive role on part of standards developers to check website

Networking the World TM Balloting Remember that consensus is not unanimity –Once 75% percent return has been achieved and negative ballots have been addressed, draft standard should be submitted for approval –Avoid delays in producing an official standard by endless response cycles –100% approval is not necessary

Networking the World TM Electronic Balloting Beta projects currently under test –Substations Committee is a beta tester group Scheduled for full implementation in 2000 Requires web access and for all balloters IEEE-SA Standards Board considering revisions to rules to accommodate this Uses PDF files of draft standards and web- based forms to submit comments and vote used for notification of key ballot dates

Networking the World TM Continuous Processing NesCom/RevCom initiative to break away from the traditional Standards Board meeting cycle of four times per year Currently under development in both committees –Electronic PAR and electronic balloting will supply means for this to occur in future

Networking the World TM Continuous Processing (continued) Continuous Processing will mean –No required submittal dates for PARS or projects –Once a PAR or project is submitted, sponsor informed of date by which they can expect a response –All documentation will need to be supplied electronically

Networking the World TM Publishing IEEE Project Editor –Copy editing –Formatting –Committee review –Web and print publishing Complimentary copies and awards

Networking the World TM Future Polling sponsor to determine market relevancy of proposed standard –Willingness to commit people to the work Videoconferencing Simultaneous development tools being explored by IEEE Standards –Cascade Contract Management Services IEEE-ISTO

Networking the World TM Future (continued) Sponsors and Leadership Training –Sponsors need to develop regular schedule to train working group chairs on –Standards process –Changes to process –Updates in technology Use programs developed by IEEE Standards –

Networking the World TM Contact Information: Susan K. Tatiner