Standards Development Methodology
This document describes the methodology, principles, and governance procedures used to develop and maintain standards published on JimmyWagner.com.
1. Development Process
Standards published on this site are developed through a structured process:
- Domain Identification: Identification of subject area requiring standardization based on gaps in existing frameworks, user needs, or emerging practice areas
- Research Phase: Comprehensive review of existing frameworks, regulations, academic literature, and industry best practices
- Drafting Phase: Preparation of initial framework with defined scope, definitions, requirements, and limitations
- Internal Review: Review for clarity, consistency, completeness, and alignment with editorial principles
- Publication: Release with version number, publication date, and changelog entry
- Maintenance: Ongoing monitoring for necessary updates, corrections, or revisions
2. Editorial Principles
All standards are developed according to the following editorial principles:
- Neutrality: Standards do not advocate for political, ideological, religious, or commercial positions. Content is descriptive and procedural, not persuasive.
- Clarity: Requirements are stated in plain, unambiguous language accessible to non-specialists while maintaining technical precision.
- Completeness: Standards include scope definition, key definitions, substantive requirements, limitations, compliance guidance, and citation formats.
- Citability: All standards include version numbers, publication dates, and standardized citation formats to enable accurate reference.
- Maintainability: Standards are structured to allow updates, corrections, and version increments without disrupting existing adopters.
3. Versioning Policy
Standards use semantic versioning according to the following conventions:
- Major Versions (v1.0 → v2.0): Significant changes to scope, structure, or requirements that may require adopters to update implementations
- Minor Versions (v1.0 → v1.1): Clarifications, non-breaking additions, corrections, or enhancements that do not alter fundamental requirements
- All version changes are documented in the public changelog with date, description, and affected sections
- Prior versions are permanently archived and remain accessible for reference and citation
Published standards are reviewed periodically for continued relevance, accuracy, and alignment with current practice. Reviews may be initiated by:
4. Review and Update Procedures
- Identification of errors, ambiguities, or inconsistencies
- Changes in applicable law, regulation, or governing authority guidance
- Feedback from adopting organizations or subject matter experts
- Evolution of best practices or industry standards in the relevant field
- Scheduled periodic review (minimum every 24 months for active standards)
5. Independence
Standards published on JimmyWagner.com are developed independently and are not sponsored, funded, or influenced by commercial entities, political organizations, advocacy groups, religious institutions, or private interests.
This site:
- Does not accept funding or sponsorship that could influence standards content
- Does not accept advertising or promotional arrangements
- Does not enter into partnerships that could compromise editorial independence
- Does not permit external review or approval of standards content prior to publication
- Maintains sole editorial control over all published materials
This independence policy ensures that published standards serve the interests of accuracy, transparency, and public benefit rather than commercial, political, or institutional interests.
6. Limitations
Standards are developed based on research, analysis, and editorial judgment. They represent one approach to documentation and transparency in the relevant domain. They do not represent the only valid approach, nor do they supersede legal requirements, regulatory mandates, or professional standards established by governing authorities.
Users are responsible for determining the applicability of any standard to their specific circumstances and for compliance with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements.