Infoway Standards Collaborative Governance Structure |
About the Governance Structure
In order to support the mandate of the Infoway Standards Collaborative (SC), a streamlined governance structure was developed in consultation with, and subsequently endorsed by, a broad range of standards stakeholders in Canada. This governance structure provides an opportunity for the pan-Canadian integration of health information standards mandates.
The scope of focus for the model addresses the entire standards life cycle, from standards development through to conformance and maintenance. Additionally, the structure enables the inclusion of stakeholders at every level of governance, leveraging the breadth and depth of Canadian expertise for the benefit of all Canadians.
Benefits of the Governance Structure
- Provides a single source that optimizes the Canadian response to balloting.
- Decision-making practices that ensure consensus, openness, and balance of interest to support the strategic direction and coordination of:
- The Standards Collaborative Process Mandate (standards development)
- The services and processes of the Standards Collaborative (support for standards implementation, maintenance, conformance and SDO liaisons)
- Long-term standards-based solutions for the pan-Canadian interoperable EHR that are portable to any custodian
- Streamlined structure (i.e. number of committees and membership) and processes
- Conformance to Standards Development Organization accreditation requirements and constraints
- Flexibility to establish task groups which address issues with defined scope and/or timeframes
- Effective and efficient approaches to coordinate health information standards and related artifacts and their management.
- Transparency of process and progress to all standards stakeholders
- Enhanced communication to all standards stakeholders
The governance model has been developed with three levels of commit¬tees and working groups: strategic, coordinating and domain levels:
STRATEGIC LEVEL
Standards Collaborative Strategic Committee (SCSC):
- Provides strategic direction for the development, maintenance, conformance and support of pan-Canadian standards and the services provided by the Standards Collaborative
- Makes decisions regarding key milestones in the standards life cycle for pan-Canadian standards such as "Stable For Use" and "Formal Approval"
COORDINATING LEVEL
Standards Collaborative Coordinating Committee (SCCC)
- Coordinates and guides pan-Canadian health information standards throughout the standards life cycle based on priorities and strategic directions set by the SC Strategic Committee
- Provides guidance on the processes and services provided by the Standards Collaborative
Standards Collaborative Clinical Sub-Committee (CSC)
- Supports clinical alignment and harmonization across pan-Canadian health information standards
- Provides clinical guidance on SC services and activities
Standards Collaborative Technical Sub-Committee (TSC)
- Ensures technical alignment across pan-Canadian health information standards
- Provides technical guidance on SC services and activities
DOMAIN LEVEL
Standards Collaborative pan-Canadian Standards Group (pCSG)
- Provides pan-Canadian review and validation to support a pan-Canadian health information standards development project.
Standards Collaborative Working Group (SCWG)
- Provides recommendations on the adoption and use of standards, and reviews and votes on the content of health information standards, particularly those involving maintenance.
For information on SC Governance election processes and to access administrative documents, please visit the Standards Collaborative Governance forum.