Standards may be argued to be important enablers for achieving interoperability as they aim to provide unambiguous specifications for error-free exchange of documents and information. By implication, therefore, it is important to model and represent the concept of a standard in a clear, precise and unambiguous way. Although standards development organisations usually provide guidelines for the process of developing and approving standards, they are usually more concerned with administrative aspect of the process. As a consequence, the state-of-the-art lacks practical support for developing the structure and content of a standard specification. In short, there is no systematic development method currently available: (a) For developing the conceptual model underpinning a standard; and/or (b) to guide a group of stakeholders to develop a standard specification. Semantic interoperability is considered to be an essential factor for effective interoperation – the ability to achieve semantic interoperability effectively and efficiently being strongly equated with quality by some. Semantics require that the meaning of terms, their relationships and also the restrictions and rules in the standards should be clearly defined in the early stages of standard development and act as a basis for the latter stages. This research proposes that ontology can help standards developers and stakeholders to address the issues of improving conceptual models and providing a robust and shared understanding of the domain. This thesis presents OntoStanD, a comprehensive ontology-based standards development methodology, which utilises the best practices of the existing ontology creation methods. The potential value of OntoStanD is in providing a comprehensive, clear and unambiguous method for developing robust information standards, which are more test friendly and of higher quality. OntoStanD also facilitates standards conformance testing and change management, impacts interoperability and also assists in improved communication among the standards development team. Last, OntoStanD provides an approach that is repeatable, teachable and potentially general enough for creating any kinds of information standard.

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[pt] Tendo como motivação a consolidação futura de um sistema integrado de metrologia para o Ministério da Defesa, a presente dissertação de mestrado diagnostica e propõe uma re-estruturação do sistema normativo do Sistema de Metrologia Aeroespacial (SISMETRA) pertencente ao Comando da Aeronáutica (COMAER). O sistema normativo em metrologia do SISMETRA, foco deste trabalho, tem como atribuição emitir normas técnicas (NTS) que padronizem a execução das atividades relacionadas com a metrologia no âmbito do COMAER. Fundamentado em ampla pesquisa bibliográfica e no diagnóstico do acervo normativo de Normas Técnicas do SISMETRA (NTS), foi possível mapear os principais sub-processos existentes no desenvolvimento de uma NTS e propor uma sistemática alternativa mais ágil e mais eficiente. Dois projetos de normas, elaborados segundo a nova filosofia proposta e com o objetivo de sistematizar os sub-processos existentes na criação de uma NTS, foram desenvolvidos como estudos de caso para comprovar a eficiência e eficácia do método proposto. O trabalho analisou, também, a conformidade do acervo normativo do SISMETRA a procedimentos internos e preceitos estabelecidos em normas nacionais e internacionais. Como fundamentos básicos do diagnóstico, a análise tomou como substrato os princípios internacionais da normalização e o Standard Code, conforme caracterizado no Anexo 3 do Acordo de Barreiras Técnicas ao Comércio da Organização Mundial do Comércio. A análise investigou a aderência das NTS ao ABNT Guia 2 (Normalização e atividades relacionadas - vocabulário geral) e a ABNT ISO/IEC Diretiva Parte 3 (Redação e apresentação de Normas Brasileiras) e a lógica processual relacionada ao desenvolvimento, adoção e aplicação de normas no âmbito do SISMETRA. No âmbito de uma pesquisa de demanda por normas em metrologia realizada junto aos quarenta e três (43) laboratórios de calibração que integram o SISMETRA em todo o território nacional, o trabalho identificou lacunas e deficiências no sistema vigente. Como resultado foram identificados 69 novos títulos de normas/procedimentos necessários para suprir vulnerabilidades e/ou atribuir maior racionalidade a sua operação. O desenvolvimento da pesquisa de demanda por normalização em metrologia, conduzida no âmbito do SISMETRA, de per se, já estimulou ampla reflexão sobre a relevância da atividade de normalização nos laboratórios do SISMETRA sediados em todo o território nacional. Este sistema é tomado como modelo para proposição de ações futuras visando a implementação de um sistema normativo integrado. Entendido como estratégico subsídio para planejamento futuro, acredita-se que o trabalho possa colaborar para o desenvolvimento de um sistema de metrologia integrado para o atual Ministério da Defesa. / [en] Motivated by the future consolidation of an integrated metrology system for the Brazilian Defense Department, the present master s degree dissertation diagnoses and proposes the restructuring of SISMETR s (Aerospace Metrology System) standardization system, which is part of the Brazilian Air Force (COMAER). SISMETRA s standardization system, focus of this master s degree research, issues technical standards to govern the activities related to metrology within the Brazilian Air Force s scope. Based on a wide bibliographic research and on the diagnosis of SISMETRA s technical standards (NTS) collection, it was possible to map the main processes underlaid in an NTS and proposed more agile and efficient procedure. Two sets of standards were prepared, according to the new proposed philosophy, as case study to prove the efficiency of the proposed method. This master s degree research also analyzed the conformity of SISMETRA s technical standards (NTS) in conformity with internal features and precepts established on national and international standards. As a basis to the diagnosis, the study took as substratum the international principles and the Standard Code, as characterized in Annex 3 of the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade, of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The study contemplated the adherence of SISMETRA s Technical Standards (NTS) to the Brazilian Standards (ABNT) Guide 2 and ABNT ISO/IEC Directive - Part 3 as well as the logic that lays underneath the development, the adoption and the application of norms within the scope of the Brazilian Air Force system s metrology. As a result of a survey on demand for metrology standards performed at the 43 calibrations laboratories which integrate SISMETRA nationwide, this master s degree research carried out a thorough review of the pros and cons of the existing system, and 69 titles of standards/procedures needed to reduce (or overcome) vulnerabilities and/or to improve its operation. The development of the undertaken survey on demand for standards in metrology, by itself, have stimulated a wide reflection and awareness on the importance of the standardization within SISMETRA s laboratories nationwide. This system is considered a model for future actions to erect an integrated standardization system. Seen as strategic subsidy, this master s degree research work may contribute to a future development of an integrated metrology system to meet the Ministry of Defense s needs.

The world relies heavily on industrial voluntary consensus standards to serve public interests through the development of uniform and harmonized social and economic procedures. The research problem focused on generating suggestions for improving collaborative practices between U.S.-based accredited and unaccredited standards development organizations that create voluntary consensus standards. The research centered on assessing the level of consensus among experts regarding what actions may be conducive to improving collaborative practices through the lenses of stakeholder and institutional theory. This modified 3-round qualitative Delphi study began with open-ended questions in Round 1 and progressed towards consensus in Rounds 2 and 3 using close-ended questions. The results encompassed consensus on 12 actions for preserving the historically deliberative and inclusive democratic U.S. voluntary consensus standards process spanning 6 categories: competition, deregulation, oversight, organizational structure, leadership training, and market-driven. The most notable of the 12 actions was an increase in internal and external liaison functions between standards development organizations and more participation on the part of industry and trade groups. This was the 1st study to apply the construct of consensus to the generation of actions focused on reducing the rise of an exclusive and nondemocratic voluntary consensus standards process and preserving a historically deliberative and inclusive democratic process. Incorporating the suggestions identified in this study may lead to positive social change by improving collaborative practices between standards development organizations and preserving the legitimacy of this important social function.