KANBrief 1/16

The "Standardization 2020" programme: digital transformation of standardization

Progressive digitalization in all areas of life presents the entire standardization system with a major challenge. Reorientation is essential in the areas of technology, market orientation and public policy, with their conflicting priorities. With its "Standardization 2020" programme, the German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies of DIN and VDE (DKE) has taken the initiative and is developing new strategies for standardization in the future.

Cross-disciplinary topics such as the smart grid, smart cities and Industry 4.0 are becoming more and more important in industry, and also call for interdisciplinary cooperation within standardization. This is however not the only change that will shape standardization in the medium term.

Technical convergence, higher rates of innovation and shorter product life cycles will result in users being confronted with standards of growing complexity. The resulting requirements facing standardization are becoming increasingly evident: the affected customer groups are demanding greater transparency in the standards development process, and also shorter development times. Nor can changes be ruled out in the underlying conditions of standardization policy.

A vision for standardization of the future

Against this background, DKE has launched the "Standardization 2020" programme – an initiative that will substantially shape the creation of a new standardization culture. The programme began with the convening of an "Innovation of standardization" task force. 21 delegates from a range of sectors were invited to take an impartial view in formulating approaches to sustainable concepts for the development, use, application and commercialization of standards. Based upon the results of the task force's work, the following vision was formulated:

The digital transformation of standardization is to be completed by 2020. As the mediator and moderator of a digitalized platform, DKE brings together the users and developers of standards and the standards organizations themselves for close discussion in its network of experts. Standardization is cloud and crowd-based. Independently of the sale of standards, DKE offers its customers a comprehensive range of standards-related services and digitalized products. These services and products are continually updated and improved by a feedback loop, up to and including automatic transformation of the content of standards into products and services.

The Standardization 2020 programme is geared to this vision, and encompasses a number of fields of action:

  • Innovative services and products:
    Standards are prepared in modular form, enabling the user to call up passages selectively from one or more standards that are relevant to a particular application scenario. Information retrieved from standards can be integrated directly into the control of products as "digital DNA" (example: a drill that automatically recognizes the safety clearance to wiring as defined in standards and does not drill into the danger zone).
  • Online platform for the creation of standards:
    From the identification of topics relevant to standardization, through the production, commenting and editing of drafts, to the publication of normative documents: all processes take place on an online platform, continually, without interruptions to work, and transparently.
  • Increased efficiency of internal processes:
    Standards management is adjusted to take account of ever-shorter product life cycles, in order to permit a faster response to technical developments. Processes and publication deadlines are optimized.

Throughout the programme, the unimpaired safety of human beings and protection of the environment continue to be among the prime objectives of standardization. The improved transparency and integration of all stakeholders into the standards development processes result in normative provisions being balanced. Content is made available to the users in a more easily comprehensible form, ultimately enhancing the acceptance of the standards.

With its sights on these targets, the Standardization 2020 programme is well prepared to face the digital transformation of standardization and to pave the way for standardization of the future.

Michael Teigeler

Managing Director of the DKE
michael.teigeler@vde.com