Scale of standards dynamics in JTC1

Abstract

Standards might be presumed to be stable. But how stable are they in reality? This paper presents the findings of a quantitative analysis of standards dynamics in ISO/IEC JTCJ, the formal international standards body for IT standardization. It shows the volume of different types of change and developments over time. Certain themes are elaborated upon, such as whether there is a relationship between standards' age and areas of technology. The paper closes by drawing attention to a few maintenance policy issues, and raises several questions forfollow-up research.