NIST Develops New Methodology for standards analysis.
Press Release Summary:
Released by NIST, FACTS: A Framework for Analysis, Comparison, and Testing of Standards outlines problem-solving methodology for facilitating design and implementation of voluntary consensus standards. Methodology uses matrix format to aid process of analyzing proposed or existing standard in light of relevant characteristics. Potential uses include clarifying goals during development of standard and providing insight into issues and concerns related to implementing separate standards.
Original Press Release:
NIST Develops New Methodology for Standards Analysis
New York
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recently released a document outlining a new problem-solving methodology intended to ease the process of designing and implementing voluntary consensus standards.
Known as Framework for Analysis, Comparison, and Testing of Standards (FACTS), the new methodology uses a matrix format to ease the process of analyzing a proposed or existing standard in light of its scope, function, motivation, and other relevant characteristics. It could potentially be used both to clarify goals during the development of a standard and to provide insight into issues and concerns related to the impact of implementing separate standards.
"By applying our approach early, developers can identify possible holes in a standard's scope for a given use by a particular stakeholder – say a manufacturer, a buyer, or a regulator," said Paul Witherell, the document’s lead author. “During implementation, our approach can assist in identifying coverage gaps and overlaps between standards' scopes of coverage."
The publication, titled FACTS: A Framework for Analysis, Comparison, and Testing of Standards, is expected to lead to the development of a specialized digital development tool that would assist the process of developing and implementing voluntary consensus standards.
