1、 International Telecommunication Union ITU-T A.7TELECOMMUNICATION STANDARDIZATION SECTOR OF ITU (11/2012) SERIES A: ORGANIZATION OF THE WORK OF ITU-T Focus groups: Establishment and working procedures Recommendation ITU-T A.7 Rec. ITU-T A.7 (11/2012) i Recommendation ITU-T A.7 Focus groups: Establis
2、hment and working procedures Summary This Recommendation describes working methods and procedures of a focus group such as its establishment, terms of reference, leadership, participation, financing, support, deliverables, etc. History Edition Recommendation Approval Study Group 1.0 ITU-T A.7 2000-0
3、6-14 TSAG 2.0 ITU-T A.7 2002-06-21 TSAG 3.0 ITU-T A.7 2004-10-14 Assembly 3.1 ITU-T A.7 (2004) Amd. 1 2006-07-07 TSAG 4.0 ITU-T A.7 2008-10-30 Assembly 5.0 ITU-T A.7 2012-11-30 Assembly ii Rec. ITU-T A.7 (11/2012) FOREWORD The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations special
4、ized agency in the field of telecommunications, information and communication technologies (ICTs). The ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) is a permanent organ of ITU. ITU-T is responsible for studying technical, operating and tariff questions and issuing Recommendations on them wit
5、h a view to standardizing telecommunications on a worldwide basis. The World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly (WTSA), which meets every four years, establishes the topics for study by the ITU-T study groups which, in turn, produce Recommendations on these topics. The approval of ITU-T Reco
6、mmendations is covered by the procedure laid down in WTSA Resolution 1. In some areas of information technology which fall within ITU-Ts purview, the necessary standards are prepared on a collaborative basis with ISO and IEC. NOTE In this Recommendation, the expression “Administration“ is used for c
7、onciseness to indicate both a telecommunication administration and a recognized operating agency. Compliance with this Recommendation is voluntary. However, the Recommendation may contain certain mandatory provisions (to ensure, e.g., interoperability or applicability) and compliance with the Recomm
8、endation is achieved when all of these mandatory provisions are met. The words “shall“ or some other obligatory language such as “must“ and the negative equivalents are used to express requirements. The use of such words does not suggest that compliance with the Recommendation is required of any par
9、ty. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS ITU draws attention to the possibility that the practice or implementation of this Recommendation may involve the use of a claimed Intellectual Property Right. ITU takes no position concerning the evidence, validity or applicability of claimed Intellectual Property R
10、ights, whether asserted by ITU members or others outside of the Recommendation development process. As of the date of approval of this Recommendation, ITU had not received notice of intellectual property, protected by patents, which may be required to implement this Recommendation. However, implemen
11、ters are cautioned that this may not represent the latest information and are therefore strongly urged to consult the TSB patent database at http:/www.itu.int/ITU-T/ipr/. ITU 2013 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, by any means whatsoever, without the prior written p
12、ermission of ITU. Rec. ITU-T A.7 (11/2012) iii Table of Contents Page 1 Scope 1 2 Establishment, terms of reference and leadership 1 2.1 Establishment . 1 2.2 Terms of reference 3 2.3 Leadership 4 3 Focus group working procedures 4 3.1 Participation 4 4 Financing of focus groups and their meetings 4
13、 5 Administrative support . 5 6 Meeting logistics . 5 7 Working language . 5 8 Technical contributions 5 9 Intellectual property rights 5 10 Deliverables approval and distribution 5 10.1 Approval of deliverables 5 10.2 Printing and distribution of deliverables 6 11 Progress reports 6 12 Meeting anno
14、uncements . 6 13 Working guidelines . 6 Rec. ITU-T A.7 (11/2012) 1 Recommendation ITU-T A.7 Focus groups: Establishment and working procedures (2000; 2002; 2004; 2006; 2008; 2012) 1 Scope The objective of focus groups is to help advance the work of the ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector (I
15、TU-T) study groups and to encourage the participation of members of other standards organizations, including experts and individuals who may not be members of ITU. Focus group activities may include an analysis of gaps between current Recommendations and expected Recommendations, and provide materia
16、l for consideration in the development of Recommendations. Procedures and working methods are established to facilitate the financing of focus groups, the completion of work on a well-defined topic and the documentation of the results. The process of establishment is described in order to help ident
17、ify, in a timely and collaborative manner, all study groups concerned by the scope of a potential focus group, and to agree on a study group or the Telecommunication Standardization Advisory Group (TSAG) as the parent group. The management of a focus group is placed under the responsibility of a par
18、ent group (study group or TSAG), in association with other involved study groups in the case where the work area of the focus group overlaps with the responsibility and the mandate of those study groups (see clause 2.2). 2 Establishment, terms of reference and leadership Within the ITU-T standardiza
19、tion working structure, the establishment procedures of a focus group should be progressed in a transparent manner. For each step of the establishment process, the compliance of the focus group proposal with all clauses of this Recommendation should be ensured, and all decisions are to be made by co
20、nsensus. 2.1 Establishment A focus group is established to help advance the work of ITU-T study groups. To justify the establishment of a focus group, the following basic criteria shall be fulfilled to their full extent: There is a significant interest in the subject and a need to help advance the w
21、ork of the ITU-T study groups The subject is not already addressed by work underway in ITU-T study groups, or cannot currently be handled by a study group There should normally be at least four members (i.e. Member States, or Sector Members from different Member States) who commit to actively suppor
22、t the new focus group. Attention should be paid to distinguishing between the following two situations: a) Topic is within the mandate of one study group When the terms of reference of the focus group fall within the mandate of a single study group, that study group has the necessary authority to ap
23、prove the formation of a focus group and become its parent group (see clause 2.1.1), provided that the chairman of this study group consults with the chairmen of all possibly impacted study groups. If there is any doubt that all the topics fall under the responsibility and mandate of only this study
24、 group, the decision of such an establishment should be referred to TSAG. 2 Rec. ITU-T A.7 (11/2012) b) Topic is within the mandate of multiple study groups When the terms of reference of the focus group fall within the mandate of multiple study groups, TSAG has the necessary authority to approve th
25、e formation of a focus group (see clause 2.1.2) and to become its parent group or appoint a study group as the parent group. The study group or TSAG, when receiving the written contribution, should check to see which study group could best address the proposed activity for the focus group. The study
26、 group dealing with the proposal for a focus group that contains topics felt as potentially falling under the responsibility and mandate of one or more other study groups remains responsible for the consultation with the other relevant study group chairmen and for informing TSAG and the Director of
27、TSB. The whole procedure for consultation should be kept responsive and fast by using, as often as possible, consultation of relevant parties by e-mail and teleconferencing tools, rather than physical meetings. In all cases, the Director of TSB and the chairman of TSAG are to be kept duly advised du
28、ring the establishment procedure. The establishment of a focus group and its first meeting will be announced according to clause 12 by the Director of TSB in cooperation with the parent group. 2.1.1 Establishment by a study group 2.1.1.1 Establishment at a study group meeting For establishment at a
29、study group meeting, the submission of a proposal to set up a focus group on a specific topic, including terms of reference, should take the form of a written contribution submitted at least twelve calendar days before that study group meeting. In the case that all topics fall without doubt, within
30、the work area of this study group, the establishment will be discussed during this meeting, and may be decided at the same meeting. If views are expressed that the proposed topic overlaps with the mandate of another study group, the chairman of the study group to which the proposal is addressed will
31、 send the proposal to the chairman of TSAG. The chairman of TSAG will then proceed as described in clauses 2.1.2.1 or 2.1.2.2 below. 2.1.1.2 Establishment between study group meetings Exceptionally, in response to urgent marketplace needs, a focus group may be established between study group meeting
32、s for the purpose of studying technical issues (i.e. those that have no regulatory or policy implications). The proposal, including terms of reference, to set up a focus group on a specific technical topic (within the mandate of the parent group) may be sent by any member to the chairman of an appro
33、priate study group selected by the initiators according to the foreseen work content. The chairman coordinates the first review of the proposal with the vice-chairmen and the chairmen of working parties of the study group. If the proposal to establish the focus group is agreed, the proposal, with co
34、mpleted terms of reference, will be posted on the ITU website and distributed to the study group e-mail distribution list, allowing four weeks for comments. In the absence of unresolved comments, the study group chairman may decide the immediate establishment of the focus group. As far as possible,
35、the chairman should seek to resolve comments by correspondence; however, if this is not possible, the decision to approve the establishment of the focus group is to be deferred to the next meeting of the study group. If views are expressed that the proposed focus group overlaps with the mandate of a
36、nother study group, the chairman of the study group to which the proposal is addressed will send the proposal to the chairman of TSAG. The chairman of TSAG will then proceed as described in clauses 2.1.2.1 or 2.1.2.2. Rec. ITU-T A.7 (11/2012) 3 2.1.2 Establishment by TSAG 2.1.2.1 Establishment at a
37、TSAG meeting For establishment at a TSAG meeting, the submission of a proposal to set up a focus group on a specific topic, including terms of reference, should take the form of a written contribution submitted at least twelve calendar days before that TSAG meeting. The TSAG plenary can decide to es
38、tablish the focus group and designate the parent group or be its parent group. This way of proceeding can also be adopted to decide on cases transmitted according to clause 2.1.1.2 above, when the schedule of the TSAG meeting is compatible with a timely response, whereby the proposal must be availab
39、le for the members at least twelve calendar days before the meeting. 2.1.2.2 Establishment between TSAG meetings Exceptionally, in response to urgent marketplace needs, a focus group may be established between TSAG meetings for the purpose of studying technical issues (i.e. those that have no regula
40、tory or policy implications). A proposal to set up a focus group on a specific technical topic, including draft terms of reference, may be submitted by any member to the chairman of TSAG. The chairman of TSAG coordinates the first review of the proposal with the vice-chairmen and working party chair
41、men of TSAG and chairmen of all study groups. If the proposal to set up a focus group is agreed, the proposal, with completed terms of reference and the nomination of the parent group, will be posted on the ITU-T website and distributed to the TSAG e-mail distribution list, allowing four weeks for c
42、omments. In the absence of unresolved comments, the chairman of TSAG may decide the immediate establishment of the focus group. As far as possible, the chairman of TSAG should seek to resolve comments by correspondence; however, if this is not possible, the decision to approve establishment of the f
43、ocus group is deferred to the next meeting of TSAG. This way of proceeding can also be adopted to decide on cases transmitted according to clause 2.1.1.2 above, when the schedule of the TSAG meetings is not deemed to be compatible with a timely response. 2.2 Terms of reference The topic for a partic
44、ular focus group is to be well defined (prior to approval), and the terms of reference must include the scope of actions, a plan of action, the expected deliverables and the time schedules for completion. The relationship of this work to that of the parent group must be indicated, in addition to rel
45、ationships with other ITU study groups, standards organizations, forums and consortia, etc., and the degree of urgency of the specific topic. The justification that the intended activity cannot be handled as efficiently by study groups should be given. It is expected that a focus group will complete
46、 its work in a short period of time, typically 9-12 months, following approval of its formation. In appropriate circumstances, and subject to review and approval by the parent group, the term and scope of a focus group may be extended. During the life of the focus group, its terms of reference canno
47、t be modified by the focus group itself. Any proposal to modify the terms of reference is to be submitted as a written contribution to the parent group for its consideration and approval. 4 Rec. ITU-T A.7 (11/2012) If more than one study group is involved (i.e. the topic falls under the responsibili
48、ty and mandate of one or more other study groups), a possible modification of the terms of reference (including scope) should be discussed with the other involved study groups before a decision is taken. Extension of the lifetime requires a decision of the parent group (with no reservations by the o
49、ther involved study groups in the case where a topic falls under the responsibility and mandate of one or more other study groups). The focus group will automatically stop if the parent group does not agree to extend the lifetime of the focus group. 2.3 Leadership A chairman and vice-chairman are initially appointed by the parent group. If needed, after the initial establishment of the focus group, subsequent management appointments will be made by the focus group, and the parent group informed accordingly. Appointment of chairman and vice-chairman shall be primarily ba
