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Development Methodology

Methodology Stages

The information standards development methodology (ISDM) is the recommended method for developing information standards. It is designed to ensure that the developer has a repeatable way of getting the standard right first time.

Any information standard starts with a need. The need will normally be driven by the desire to implement business change into health and social care. An information gap will be identified as part of the change that cannot be filled by existing national or international information standards.

The method is made up of seven stages for fundamental and operational standards. In general a standard will go through each stage although they can be as long or short as appropriate.

  • Need – an information deficit or gap within the existing national or international portfolio or product suite that is planned to be remedied by the proposed development. 
  • Requirement – the requirements for the information standard are identified. 
  • Draft – there is early evidence that the development of the standard will fulfil the specification given at requirement stage.
  • Full - there is evidence that the standard is implementable, interoperable and safe and is supported by an ongoing maintenance and update process.
  • Implementation – the information standard is being implemented in health and social care.
  • Maintenance - where the information standard is used in operation.
  • Retirement – the standard is deprecated and then withdrawn.

The method is designed to fit alongside a wider programme of work. In a robust development the evidence required by the appraisal process can be sourced from existing products. For example, the clinical safety products are required for any IT development that may create patient safety issues. A standards developer may chose to tailor the method or even follow a different one as long as the standards criteria are met.

Methodology Version 1.3

Version 1.3 of the methodology has been approved for use. An interactive version of the methodology is available and PDF versions can be downloaded below:

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