What is a standard?
What are the benefits of using standards?
Who sets the standards?
What is new in the Tech Star Application?
1. What defines a standard?
The dictionary defines standards this way.
something established by authority, custom, or general consent as a model, example, or point of reference.
something established by authority as a rule for the measure of quantity, weight, extent, value, or quality.
I searched the internet and found these definitions that say it better than I could.
In essence, a standard is an agreed way of doing something. It could be about making a product, managing a process, delivering a service or supplying materials – standards can cover a huge range of activities undertaken by organizations
and used by their customers.
Standards are the distilled wisdom of people with expertise in their subject matter and who know the needs of the organizations they represent – people such as manufacturers, sellers, buyers, customers, trade associations, employees or regulators.
Standards are knowledge. They are powerful tools that can help drive innovation and increase productivity. They can make organizations more successful and people’s everyday lives easier, safer and healthier.
If you would like to read more, here is a link to an article.
2. What are the benefits of using standards?
Standards save money and drive efficiency.
Standards are hugely important in increasing the interoperability, effectiveness and efficiency of an repeated interaction.
They evolve to meet the continuing needs of an industry and in most cases are adopted voluntarily.
When everyone is using the same standards, communicating becomes easier and efficient.
Standardization allows labor sharing with minimal training.
Standards ensure the safety, quality and reliability of products and services. Standards improve systems and processes; they reduce waste, cut costs and ensure consistency.
Standards define a common ground for discussion and agreement.
Standards simplify design and engineering time.
Standards define the vocabulary for communicating, which promotes shared understanding.
Are there exceptions to the rule?
Yes, when necessary, the boundaries need to be examined and evaluated for current information and new ideas.
Occasionally it is necessary to go outside the boundaries. In these circumstances, the risks and benefits need to be evaluated and then proceed with everyone aware we are outside the boundaries. We all go together.
Standards do set boundaries. This reduces training times and allows a larger pool of people to participate. The user does not need to be an expert to use standards.
3. Is there a process for creating standards?
Engineering standards are used as a foundation for standards. There must be fundamental criteria the process must meet. This sets the parameters for the work to be done.
Additional considerations come from Industry associations like the IEEE, EIA/TIA, BICSI, and NICET.
As stated above, many aspects are required to establish standards. All considerations are ingredients in the recipe.
The collective knowledge of every employee is invaluable to establishing the best way to accomplish a task.
It is the responsibility of the standard team to engage all resources necessary when setting a standard for the company. More ideas make better outcomes.
Standards promote innovation. Every standard can improve. Everyone has a responsibility to challenge standards. Constructive feedback is necessary for continual improvement.
Standards are published documents containing technical specifications, rules, guidelines or definitions.
4. What is new in the Tech Star Application?
On the Tech Star App now. Check it out!
Videos for fun.
- Dan Hiett, Chief Operating Officer, Grand Prairie