How can standards keep up with a fast-changing world?

Standards set out a consensus view on the best way of doing something. But what happens when change is so fast that best practice is evolving all the time? This article sets out the different options to develop standards to meet different needs, including a new flexible approach for fast-changing markets.

The development time for a full British Standard (BS) averages between one and four years, depending on the complexity of the subject and the range of interests involved. This pace produces high quality, reliable standards and is well suited to disciplines and challenges where there is well-established and relatively mature agreement around good practice. For example, for the safety of products.

But for certain sectors where there is the need adapt to rapid and significant change in areas of uncertainty, the resulting standard might be obsolete on publication.

This might be due to advances in digital technology and connectivity. Or it might be dealing with the impact of climate change or, more recently, the impact of COVID-19. However, organizations working in these sectors can still benefit from the guidance that standards provide, like greater clarity, shared definitions, a level playing field, interoperability, and demonstrating credibility.

The challenge is to create standards fast enough and with enough flexibility to support the development of emerging markets without compromising on quality. This is where PAS and Flex standards provide a more flexible, agile solution.

What is a PAS?

A PAS standard sets out best practice in a particular area, for example defining a process, or describing a product or service. Usually sponsored by an organization, whether a company, trade association, professional bodies or government department, the PAS is developed by a steering group of stakeholders.

A PAS can boost an entire industry by providing a shared basis to support a particular innovation or approach and speed adoption. PASs are available for others to use. Around 30% of PASs go on to be developed into full British Standards or international standards.

Sponsoring a PAS can help your organization gain credibility, influence a marketplace, demonstrate leadership, build your brand, and share knowledge with others.

What is a Flex standard?

Flex standards are a recent innovation, inspired by the agile methodology used in software development and project management.

BSI Flex uses an iterative approach to standards development, producing a first draft of a standard rapidly which can then be revised and improved in repeated versions within a few short weeks. This responsive, dynamic approach is best suited to fast-changing areas where consensus on best practice is still emerging.

The key principles of agile standards development are:

1. Iterative development
Dynamic updating of content to respond to the changing market environment, providing the most up-to-date picture of agreed good practice at that point in time. Iterations and incremental versions made available for use allow for regular “check ins” with end users to assess suitability and encourage feedback.
2. Modular approach
Where the standard is built-up as a series of elements over time, with an initial focus on areas where consensus can be reached quickly, and the ability to “‘park” more tricky areas for later development.
3. Deriving value at an early stage
Accelerating the point at which usable content of value is made available to end users. Avoiding wherever possible the “time lag” involved in more traditional methods of standards development, when it can take months, or even years for consensus to be reached on a suitable output. The incremental steps provided by the iterative development, incorporating early user input, combined with the accelerated point at which usable content is made available provides a significant advantage over traditional methods
4. Flexibility
The timings of standards versions are built around external factors, rather than pre-determined milestones. Flexibility to move at the same pace as the market, with more rapid iteration during periods of rapid change and less frequent updates as understanding matures. Flexibility to align with specific pilots and testing.
5. Inclusivity
As the pace of technological change increases and standards are developed within shorter timescales, it becomes even more important to encourage and secure participation from all interested parties. New methods of engagement and collaborative working are essential to reduce the barriers to participation.
6. Outcome focused
An agile approach may not be appropriate for highly prescriptive standards. Conversely, in areas where good practice is still unclear and there is a high level of uncertainty, it may be more appropriate to focus on outcomes and principles, instead of requirements.

Using an agile approach in the COVID-19 pandemic

The benefits of an agile approach were demonstrated during the pandemic. As the crisis deepened, there was an urgent need for guidance on best practice on how to approach health and safety.

BSI used an agile approach to develop a Safe Working Guidelines Flex standard in May 2020. This was followed by further versions in July and August of that year as the understanding of best practice developed, and the guidelines have been downloaded over 20,000 times in the UK alone.

The Guidelines were then used as the basis of a new international standard, PD ISO/PAS 45005:2020, Occupational health and safety management — General guidelines for safe working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Developed in record time, in response to the urgency of the situation and the immediate need for information, by experts from over 30 countries, the international Guidelines were published in December 2020.

Supporting the development of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV)

As another example, the flexible approach has also been applied to the development of connected and autonomous vehicles (CAV). Organizations are racing to find ways of ensuring these types of vehicles can be trialled safely and reliably, but there are many issues that need to be addressed before they become common features on our streets.

BSI worked with the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and industry to develop a CAV vocabulary as a BSI Flex standard (BSI Flex 1890 v3) and make it available through an interactive website showing each term and its definition with clear version history. It covers a wide range of terms from “automated driving system” to “vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I)”.

Multiple iterations of the standard were created with input from an advisory group of industry experts and stakeholders, as well as through public consultation. The vocabulary was developed as part of a wider CAV standards programme.

BSI’s free white paper on agile standards explains the key challenges and benefits of this approach. Download it now to explore this important subject further.