ISO/TC 211 Internal

Information for project leaders, editors and convenors

2008-05-07

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Help page for project leaders and editors

Some practical information, which includes links to the ISO/IEC Directives, standards templates and other ISO documentation for writing standards.

NB - Check list

Terminology

The latest version of the terminology spreadsheet is available through the programme of work.

Harmonized models

Be aware of Resolution 236 and project leaders'/editors' obligation to be members of the HMMG during the project period.

Editing committees

If you are a member of an editing committee, you need this information. See also "Help page for project leaders and editors" above.

Information for project leader/editors in ISO/TC 211

This site is to help the project leaders and editors in their work.

Please visit the ISO Standards development which includes the Directives and all tools needed.

• The ISO/IEC Directives Part 1, Basic procudures for the technical work and the ISO Supplement, and of particularly importance: Part 2, Rules for the structure and drafting of International Standards, and other guidelines for preparation of text and graphics
• Under IT Tools you will find the ISO Templates and the reference manual.

Please note that

• a first working draft shall be submitted to the TC for information 6 months after the approval of the project.
• when the project team decides that the draft is ready for Committee Draft (CD) - in accordance with the time frame for the project, the draft shall be sent to the convenor of the WG. The convenor shall distribute the draft to the whole WG for final comments before it is sent to the secretariat for distribution as CD for ballot and comments. The convenor of the WG shall submit the draft to the secretariat.
• when the draft is sent out as a CD, the project team is dissolved. An editing committee is appointed to resolve comments on the CD.

Aslo note that

• the figures shall be submitted to the secretariat in the original, reversible files. See "Guidelines for the preparation and submission of graphics" for acceptable formats.
• the new ISO time frame is given in document N 1498.

Check-list

The secretariat notes that there are certain items that keeps coming up in all drafts, and has therefore collected these in a check-list.

Terminology

Please note that project leaders shall check the terminology to assure harmonization. The latest version of the terminology spreadsheet is available through the programme of work.

Project teams

For each project the member bodies nominate experts to work on the project. These experts forms the project team, which automatically becomes part of the WG to which the project is assigned. The project leader will receive a list of the appointed experts from the secretariat. Whenever a change is given from the member bodies to the secretariat, the project leader will be notified. Only experts appointed from the member bodies via the secretatiat shall be on the distribution list of the project leader. If the project leader receive information from someone that wants to participate in the work, he/she must ask this person to contact their member body for official nomination.

It is important that the project leader includes the whole project team in the work, also those that are not able to attend meetings. The whole team shall have the opportunity to comment on new versions before it proceeds to CD.

If you have any questions, please contact the secretariat.

Check-list - typical problems using the ISO templates and writing standards

This list is a collection of typical problems with the documents the secretariat receives. All are covered in the Directives and templates.

Templates

Download the reference manual and take a quick look before you start!
Remember that this is a template, all necessary styles are already included.

• Do not change the styles
• Do not add styles – "Special" shall be used if you need another style

Exception:
Most of our standards have code lists, and a style for this may be added

• Do not manually change the automatically generated text (except text in normal paragraphs). If you need to change title, number, date, stage etc. you have to go into "Doc.Info"
• The most commonly used styles are included in "Elements".

Important checkpoints

Annexes
Annexes shall appear in the order they are sited in the document.

Paragraphs
Hanging paragraphs and stand alone paragraphs are not allowed.

Figures
Do not use colours unless it is necessary for the understanding of the figure.

References

• There shall be references to all figures and tables and annexes in the text.
• If you refer to a specific clause, figure or table in another standard, you need to include the year.
• There is no need to include the title of the standard you refer to in the text.
• When you refer to a subclause, you shall only use the number (i.e. "see 6.3.1).
• When referring to the document at hand, use "this International Standard" or "this Technical Specification". "This document" shall only be used in the clauses Normative references and Terms and definitions.

Grammar
Use complete sentences in the normal text! (Definitions are an exception with special rules.)

Other reminders
Be consequent in the use of capital letters; don't use it unless it has significance.

Remember that the typical reader of the standard has not been involved in the committee work!

http://www.isotc211.org/pow.htm

If you need password to get the documents, you must contact your national body

The summary of the comments will be sent directly to the participants in each editing committee as soon as they are available after the target date.

Other documents to consider:

The latest version of the terminology spreadsheet is available through the programme of work.

ISO Directives part 1

ISO Directives part 2

Guidelines for ISO/TC 211 editing committees (EC)

Terms of reference for ISO/TC 211 editing committees (EC)

Please contact the secretariat if you have any problems downloading or opening the documents.

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