The role of government in IT standards

Abstract

Government involvement in the IT standards process often includes funding, regulatory, and legislative mandates; trade and procurement policies; and sometimes outright control. Examples of all these exist in various countries, jurisdictions, and technical areas around the world. However, governments also play a major role as IT consumers. The specifications adopted by a government as a consumer facilitate widespread use in industry. Therefore, governments are in a unique position to participate in the standards process in a way that not only reflects a public interest role but also considers consumer concerns. Just as industry cannot operate without government as a partner in defining priorities and ensuring satisfactory results, governments cannot effectively represent their constituents by taking unilateral action in establishing standards. The government must appreciate the role it plays as an informed consumer with a potential for applying life cycle planning.