Long-term Actions
- Let people share feedback anytime, not just during scheduled review periods.
- Accept input from individuals, organizations, and communities whenever issues or improvements are noticed.
- Clearly explain how to give feedback and what supports are available (e.g., plain language, captions, sign language/interpretation, screen-reader friendly).
- Make feedback channels easy to find and use, such as online forms, email, phone lines, or mail.
- Track and respond to feedback promptly so people know their input matters.
- Regularly review and act on feedback to improve standards over time.
- Share updates with communities on what changes were made because of ongoing feedback.
- Ensure feedback loops are inclusive, so all voices, especially from underrepresented groups, can be heard.
More Information
- The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) supports continuous feedback by allowing community members to raise issues and suggestions throughout the lifecycle of standards. Public discussions and issue tracking help ensure concerns are documented, reviewed, and addressed transparently.
Examples
- Australia – Standards Australia includes built-in review cycles that actively seek feedback from users, not just committee members. They’ve piloted community surveys and interviews to understand real-world adoption and challenges, particularly in regional and underserved areas.
- Kenya – Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) collaborates with universities and local organizations to monitor implementation in key sectors. Field studies and stakeholder feedback are used to track outcomes, ensuring that standards reflect practical realities and community needs.
- Germany – German Institute for Standardization (DIN) gathers usage data through stakeholder reporting and market analysis. They also run working groups post-publication to evaluate unintended consequences or gaps, especially for vulnerable populations.