Aiming for higher standards

AIRAH CEO Sami Zheng, Affil.AIRAH, recently participated in the Standards Australia Contributor and Nominating Organisation Forum. She shares her insights from the event.

Can you afford not to contribute to developing standards?

As the old saying goes, we need to be the change we want to see in the world. Taking part in improving standards not only gives you the opportunity to make an impact with the industry, but also introduces you to passionate like-minded professionals.

I took part in Standard Australia’s Melbourne panel session on Tuesday, July 23. During the forum, we discussed three major initiatives: the roadmap for digital tools, the goals of Standards Australia’s diversity action plan, and the NEXTgen program.

Let’s take a look at each of those three key initiatives.

Roadmap for digital tools

The digital transformation is well underway, with a clear roadmap highlighting three main areas.

1. Online standards development: A robust platform will facilitate the creation and revision of standards, streamlining processes and making them more efficient and accessible for all stakeholders.

2. Meeting portal: A new meeting portal will centralise all meeting-related activities, from scheduling to documentation, enhancing coordination and ensuring seamless communication among participants.

3. Standards development lifecycle notifications: Standards Australia will introduce a notification system to keep stakeholders informed about the various stages of standards development, fostering greater engagement and accountability.

Goals of the diversity action plan

The diversity action plan puts forward three strategic priorities.

1. Transparency: Commitment to open and transparent processes, ensuring that all stakeholders have access to information and can participate fully.

2. Representation: Initiatives for diverse representation across all levels of the organisation, recognising that a diverse team drives innovation and better decision-making.

3. Participation: Fostering an inclusive environment where everyone is encouraged to participate actively, creating opportunities for underrepresented groups and giving them a voice.

NEXTgen program

The NEXTgen program aims to cultivate the next generation of problem-solvers and leaders. The program’s recent outcomes include:

– Innovative approach: A new generation problem-solving approach to address contemporary challenges with fresh perspectives.

– Global engagement: Plans for 16 NEXT conventions across 14 countries over the next two years, serving as platforms for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation.

– Participant involvement: Progressively involving more participants, mentors, and chairpeople in the program to enrich diversity and expertise within the community.

– Project protocol process: Introduction of a new process for project protocols, ensuring that initiatives are systematically managed and executed.

– Satisfaction scores: The high satisfaction scores from participants – 95 per cent in 2023 and an anticipated 98 per cent in 2024 – reflect the program’s success.

By leveraging digital tools, empowering the next generation, and prioritising diversity, we are setting the stage for a brighter, more inclusive future. 

AIRAH is looking forward to working with Standards Australia and continuing this journey with the support and participation of our dedicated members.