The Entity Standards Development Process
Learn about using the IEEE Standards Association’s time-tested, equitable Entity Process to develop industry-relevant standards.
The corporate program was designed as an entity-based process, and most entities find it acceptable to pay dues to participate in other similar organizations. In benchmarking, the IEEE has ascertained that its SA corporate member dues are competitive compared to other organizations. In addition, the IEEE SA has extended a number of benefits to entity working groups that help to produce entity standards in an expeditious manner consistent with the valued IEEE consensus process.
IEEE SA’s corporate membership program directly funds additional resources, such as project management, which facilitates efficient entity standards development. In addition, this simple fee structure gives entities the ability to participate in unlimited working groups for one annual fee.
The working group has the right to determine when to circulate a draft standard for comment to basic members who are observers in the working group. Prior to the SA Ballot, those basic members may submit comments to the chair, who will work with the voting members of the working group to determine a resolution. Basic members can only participate in such discussions if they upgrade to advanced membership.
IEEE SA staff will help to coordinate communication between participants in that company to resolve the issue.
Entity working groups may allow individuals to attend meetings to offer specific technical expertise from non-voting positions at up to three entity standards working group meetings per project during the standards development process. Further information can be found in the IEEE SA Standards Board Bylaws, clause 5.2.1.2
The IEEE SA is an open standards organization, allowing any entity or individual to participate in its standards development process as long as they follow the IEEE SA rules. “Open” does not mean “free,” and participation in standards development is never completely “free.” There are always costs involved to support meeting attendance or the technologies involved in electronic participation. In the entity model, the participants expect to support (financially and otherwise) the standards development process and to benefit from it.
Yes, as long as full disclosure is made to the working group and to the Standards Committee.
Yes. Entity working groups may use the public area of their website to share needed information with those who may wish to begin participation in the working group.