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Doug Higby

Standards or Chaos

What is a standard? Something established by

authority, custom, or general consent as a model or example

What kind of IT standards exist in our diverse organization?

Authority Website policy

Customs (de facto) doc files (changing)

General Consent Unicode, USFM

Types of Standards Standard procedures Interoperability standards Hardware Operating System Software

Often standards are field-drivenOrganization

Area

Entity

Cluster

Project

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Compelling reasons to adopt a defined standard

or model

The Benefits of Standards

Modified by Heidi Rosendall from original Powerpoint created by Doug Higby Adapted from The Benefits of Standard IT Governance Frameworks by George Spafford of Datamation

Benefit 1. The Wheel Exists Many people want to find their

own way, unaware that a standard solution already exists.

Time is a precious commodity. OK, so creating databases is fun,

but is it a wise use of time when someone else has already done it?

Benefit 2. Structure Standards provide a structure

that we can follow, enabling us to know what is expected and to work more efficiently.

Benefit 3. Best Practices Best Practices are the result of

people following imperfect standards. In this way, the standard evolves.

The level of experience reflected in a best practice standard can not be matched by any single individual’s efforts.

Good documentation usually follows.

Benefit 4. Knowledge Sharing Standards foster the sharing of

ideas. The wider the usage of a

standard, the more cross-fertilization that takes place.

FLEx, now on Google groups for wider participation, WeSay now publishing dictionaries online

Benefit 5. Auditable Standards help to measure

progress. We are all somebody’s personnel

resource. Following standards helps keep us accountable, and helps supervisors ensure progress and quality.

Benefit 6. Specialization (added)

The more people have to figure out about a process on their own, the less productive they are. Following well-thought-out standards frees people to focus on their own specialized task.

Standards = Leadership Adam was watching while Eve

ate the forbidden fruit. Were he to have helped her to apply the Standard, we could have avoided this whole mess called sin.

In the same way, our own uncertainty can prevent us from providing leadership even when our knowledge is sufficient.

Users want Standards! Users often find multiple options

confusing. They don’t want a list of anti-virus programs to choose from. The want the “best” antivirus.

They look to the following sources:

Local IT people JAARS Domain consultants Successful colleagues

Users often resist standards Users can feel that standards

limit their freedom. Provide GOOD standards and make the

benefits well known.Don’t be heavy-handed.

Users may feel unwilling or unable to comply with the standard.Again – BENEFITS, but also proper training, encouragement, and consequences.

Ingredients for Standard-setting Global thinking

Our solution could apply on a larger scale.

Team spirit Others could benefit from what we’re doing

Confidence We’re certain we have a good system

Determination We won’t quit when we fail or are criticized.

Optimism We will focus on the benefits.

Examples USFM – Unified Standard Format

Marking OXES – MDF – Multi-Dictionary

Formatting LIFT – Unicode Paratext Checking before

Consultant Checking

The 5 Phases of Standard-setting

Research Develop Experiment Promote Support

Case #1 Toshiba in Nigeria Group

Research What is the best laptop for use here in Nigeria?

Develop Research across entities, internet research

Experiment

Toshiba Satellite Pro found to be the most durable (Richard Young)

Promote Recommend when asked and before asked. Establish Group purchase policy.

Support Help users obtain good laptops. Maintain spare replacement parts. Give good maintenance response.

Case #2 Heidi’s Typesetting Process

Research How to get the cleanest-possible Scripture text?

Develop Paratext checking applied before typesetting. (Already in application world-wide but not enforced.)

Experiment

Which checks provide the most benefits, when should they be applied?

Promote Required, if you want to typeset with Heidi. Demonstrate the benefits to the Translation Consultants

Support Now required if you want your text consultant-checked.Training provided in workshops and one-on-one.

Case #3 Keyman

Research What is the best software for typing in minority languages?

Develop 3 Standard Keyboards for all of Nigeria

Experiment

Continue investigating other choices – InKey, MSKLC (Standards aren’t static!)

Promote Put the keyboards on the Keyman Website(Not much promotion needed now, but there will be IF there is a transition.)

Support Quickly provide the needed software and keyboard.

Case #4 PNG Phonology Statements

Research Phonology statements have standard features. Linguists would benefit from a good model

Develop Model phonology statement template was developed

Experiment

Successfully used by several projects

Promote Subsequently required by the branch

Support Consultants can easily give help on the various aspects because they know what they are looking at.

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What can you do about it?

What standards do you want to see?