Standardizing New Technology: How to Choose the Proper Standards Development Organization (SDO) Venue

Andy Malis

This article is the second of a three-part series. In part one, we explained how standardization ensures that innovations can be widely adopted and effectively maintained, but we noted that the process of standardizing technology is intricate and requires careful decision-making. In part two, we focus on selecting the appropriate Standards Development Organization (SDO) venue. Part three will highlight pitfalls to avoid in the process.

Selecting the right SDO venue is a critical step in the standardization process. Here are some guidelines to help you make the best choice:

Evaluate the scope and expertise. Different SDOs specialize in various domains or technologies. It’s important to choose an organization that is an expert in your technology's specific area. Evaluate the scope and technical rigor of the SDO's work, its past projects, and the expertise of its members.

Many SDOs exist today, each having a particular expertise or scope. Some are regional, such as ANSI (American National Standards Institute) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute), while others are international in scope, such as the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) or ITU (International Telecommunication Union). There are also industry-led consortia, such as the BBF (Broadband Forum). Even in just a single technology or engineering discipline, such as Internet-related telecommunications, one could choose between the IETF, ITU, BBF, or the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) for various sub-specialties. There is no substitute for doing your homework to find the right home for a new proposed standard.

Once you have a good understanding for what you feel needs to be standardized, searching for related standards will go a long way to helping you find the proper venue. For example, if you’ve innovated a new Internet routing algorithm, then you would find that the IETF would be the appropriate venue. However, if you have an innovation in carrying data over fiber optic cables, then the ITU leads standardization in that area. Proposals for improvements to Wi-Fi should be brought to the IEEE.

Consider global reach and influence. The impact of standards is amplified when they have global reach. Unless you have a good reason for regionality, such as regulatory compliance in a particular region, opt for SDOs with international influence and recognition rather than regional or national body SDOs. This ensures that the standards developed will be accepted and implemented worldwide, enhancing interoperability and market adoption.

Assess transparency and governance. Impartiality, transparency, and robust governance are crucial for an SDO's credibility. Ensure that the organization has clear processes for decision-making, conflict resolution, and maintaining impartiality. This helps build trust and ensures that the standards developed are fair and unbiased.

Review the development process. Standards development can be lengthy and complex. Evaluate the SDO's development process to ensure it is systematic, thorough, and adaptable. A well-defined process helps avoid delays and ensures the timely release of standards.

Consider Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and patent procedures:. How IPR is treated is a primary consideration when choosing an SDO. Look for SDOs with transparent IPR policies that require an early declaration of IPR related to a proposed standard and have clear procedures that require fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory (FRAND) IPR licensing, including so-called royalty-free defensive licensing (we won’t sue you if you don’t sue us) as an option.

Certification, compliance, and interoperability support. Some SDOs provide interoperability and/or conformance testing, certification programs, and compliance guidelines, which help ensure implementation success.

The time and attention you pay to research SDOs before entering the standardization arena can beneficial. In the right community, with the right process and right influence, you have the best chance for a successful outcome.

In the final article in this series, we’ll discuss pitfalls to avoid in the standards process.