The overall process is depicted in the following diagram.
Periodically, with input from all The Open Group constituencies and The Open Group Annual Operating Plan, the Customer Council Steering Committee reviews the list of Program Groups. If, based on this input, the consensus is the list should be changed, and new Program Group(s) formed, the Steering Committee puts a recommendation to The Open Group Councils , with a business case in support. The Open Group Councils will forward this to The Open Group Board with a recommendation as determined by Council vote. The Open Group Board has the final decision.
Program Groups are terminated when the life-cycle for a given focus area is complete. Generally this means that branded products are available for the last requirements produced by the Program Group, no further Priority Items have been identified, or that no further technology development is anticipated. A recommendation for closing a Program Group will follow the same process as that outlined in the preceding paragraph. When a Program Group has been closed down, all responsibility for maintenance of specifications and enabling technologies related to that program passes to The Open Group.
Each Program Group is responsible for producing a Program Plan. This is a document jointly developed by customers and suppliers which communicates for the Program Group:
Scope, goals and expected benefits
Industry and Technology analysis
Competitive activities
Objectives and Plans
- including identification of the 2 - 4 priority work items (specific
to the realization of the Program Group's goals) for which there
is agreement within the Program Group and the commitment of customers
and suppliers to progress work.
See Program Plans for more information.
The Program Group can elect to work on its top priorities itself
but normally appoints Task Groups to conduct the more detailed
work required to develop a business / project plan to produce
the desired deliverables.
Once a Program Plan is agreed, one or more Task Groups may be
formed, usually from the participants of the Program Group.
There will tend to be two parts to each Task Group: one that deals
with business issues/requirements and one that deals with technical
issues. These will often work in parallel, coming together for
up-dates and joint sessions to ensure that the overall project
is synchronized. This is particularly relevant where technology
is being developed eg DCE, CDE, Security.
Like Program Groups, Task Groups are open to all sponsors and
members of The Open Group, a staff Product Manager will be appointed
and a Chair elected. In addition, where technology development
is involved, an Architect will be appointed. The architect will
provide guidance on technical issues and ensure that communication
is maintained between technology development projects (PST, RFT,
ATO), Task Group members and relevant staff members of sponsor
organizations.
The approvals processes for business/ project plans will include
a vote of the Customer and Software Council and the Board will
need to approve the Branding Process, the PSTs ( or RFTs, ATOs)
that result and the business plans for the launch of new products.
See Requirements Statements for a description
of how requirements are expressed.
For information about this topic, see Technical Procedures.
For information about this topic, see Collaborative Technology procedures.
Yet to be documented.