Change to HL7 Ballot sign-up processes

Nov 8, 2013

From HL7:

Important Announcement Regarding Ballot Pool Sign Up Date ChangesWe want to make you aware of an important change to the ballot signup period for HL7 standards balloting. A recent ANSI audit has prompted a significant change in our ballot pool signup procedure. This change was required to address shortcomings in the way HL7 addresses balance of interest in our pools.

In the past, ballot pool signup for any pool remained open until a week before that pool was scheduled to close; however, starting with the upcoming January 2014 ballot, the ballot pool signup period for any pool will close when that pool opens for voting. This means that for this cycle, with pools scheduled to open on Friday, December 13, 2013, ballot pool signup will close at end-of-day Thursday, December 12, 2013.

My personal opinion: I can’t imagine what this actually achieves on the real world other than to reduce the quality of the overall standard that comes out the other end. But it’s a typical thing - measurable markers of steps towards progress are more important than the progress itself. At least I know that HL7 itself thoroughly dislikes this change.