## Specification Lifecycle

From initial contributions through OASIS Standard, the OASIS specification lifecycle defines the process and approval levels for all committee work. There are five stages:

- Working Draft
- Committee Draft
- Public Review Draft
- Committee Specification
- OASIS Standard

In addition, Errata can be approved for OASIS Standards.

#### Timeline for Specification Lifecycle

It's impossible to generalize on the amount of time it takes from a Technical Committee's first meeting to OASIS Standard. The amount of time spent depends on numerous factors, including:

- completeness of initial contributions(s), if any
- number of active participants
- frequency of committee meetings
- external factors

Once a work product is ready for its initial Public Review, it takes a minimum of five (5) months to reach OASIS Standard status. The Public Review to OASIS Standard spreadsheet will help calculate timelines.

- Technical Committee Scheduler Workbook in Microsoft Excel format
- Technical Committee Scheduler Workbook in OpenDocument format (OO, Symphony)

This video will introduce you to the spreadsheet and its usage.

#### IPR Considerations

The OASIS TC Process defines two levels of work products produced by a Technical Committee:

- OASIS Draft Deliverable - Working Drafts, Committee Drafts, Public Review Drafts. Each member of a TC grants to each other member a limited covenant not to assert any Essential Claims
- OASIS Final Deliverable - Committee Specifications, OASIS Standards, Approved Errata

See the OASIS IPR Policy for more details on obligations incurred.

#### Related Information:

OASIS Technical Committee Process Policy - Standards Approval Process