The XBRL International Standards Board (XSB) is pleased to announce the release of a consultation draft of the XBRL Processes and Procedures document.

This document defines the processes, policies and procedures under which all future XBRL International Inc. (XII) working group activities will be conducted. This document was created with the goal of setting guidelines and best practices for future working groups to help them consistently produce high-quality technical specifications and other work products.

There are quite a number of significant changes to the manner in which XII Working Groups will operate in the future. Some of the changes affect the steps associated with creating work product; others demonstrate a renewed focus on the XBRL Intellectual Property Policy; still others relate to the formation, membership and operation of working groups.

While some of the policies and procedures will not be new to those who have contributed to previous XII working group efforts or similar efforts in other standards bodies, XBRL International continues to evolve and grow. This document was, in part, created to reflect these ongoing changes and to meet the demands that such changes place on all of us as XBRL consortium members. As such, the XSB would like to encourage all current and future working group members to review this document and to become familiar with the proposed new framework.

The XSB would like to emphasize:

1. It is the XSB's intention to operate following the principles in this document as drafted from now on, while being responsive to constructive suggestions and dealing with transitional issues and inconsistencies on a case by case basis until this document becomes the official governing document for these activities.
2. The majority of working groups will be run as projects, with a start, middle and end.
3. Working groups MUST comprise a blend of members with Domain knowledge and Technical knowledge.
The XSB is committed to the success and adoption of all past, current and future XBRL related technical work products. The new XBRL Processes and Procedures document was created to contribute in a meaningful way to that goal. If there are any questions or comments related to this document, the XSB can be reached via email xsb@xbrl.org which is an alias that forwards e-mails to ALL XSB members as well as technical staff.
 
Michael Ohata
Chair, XBRL Standards Board