The SIF specification is an industry-supported technical
blueprint for K-12 software that enables diverse applications
to interact and share data efficiently, reliably, and securely
regardless of the platform hosting the applications. In 2001,
after attempting on their own to develop a compliance program,
SIF enlisted the help of The Open Group.
The Open Group performed a two-phase project.
The first phase involved working with members of SIF to understand
their objectives and needs, then to define the policies and
procedures that form the foundation of a compliance program,
as well as to specify the technical requirements. The Open
Group produced two documents: A set of policies and procedures,
and an exposition of technical requirements. The Compliance
Policy document outlines the conceptual framework for the
compliance program and business assumptions, as well as the
procedural requirements that the SIF team expected to put
in place. The Technical Requirements document identifies
the steps and "gain for work" associated with the
different thresholds of testing.
The second phase is construction of the actual
program, based on the policies and procedures produced in
the first phase. The Open Group worked with SIF to define
the requirements that conforming products must meet and the
legal agreements used in the program, as well as the administrative
documents and tools. The program will utilize a web-based
certification system that automates the certification process
for a company that wants to certify a product. During the
operational stage, The Open Group is operating the program
as the official Certification Authority.
The Open Group utilized an on-line document
review system as a means to achieve consensus on the various
documents produced during the development process. This system
allows reviewers to provide comments within the context of
a document, and all comments are visible to all reviewers,
enabling an open exchange of ideas. At the end of a review
period, a resolution action is taken for each comment submitted.
The Open Group has used this process successfully in many
different areas to drive consensus and closure on issues
requiring agreement and approval from diverse constituents.
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