We will focus on six priorities to achieve our goals and maximize our impact within the context of the drivers of change.
Each priority primarily supports one goal.
ISO standards used everywhere
1.1 Demonstrate the benefits of ISO standards
Opportunity statement
To encourage the widespread use of ISO standards and attract experts to the development process, we must clearly demonstrate the benefits of using ISO standards. Concrete examples as well as quantitative and qualitative data demonstrating the value and impact of ISO standards are key to constructing a powerful message and cementing ISO’s position as a leader in its field.
By conducting research and gathering data on how ISO standards can support international trade, drive economic growth, promote innovation, support sustainable development and promote health and safety, we will be able to further public understanding of the positive impacts of standards and to demonstrate the value of ISO’s work.
How will ISO seize this opportunity?
- Partner with ISO members, academia and other organizations to promote research on standardization and develop and share knowledge on the impact of International Standards
- Collect data, conduct research and build case studies demonstrating the impact of International Standards
- Use the ISO network to actively promote International Standards and their benefits (with messages supported by research and data), targeting in particular industry leaders and policy makers
Measuring progress
We want to show the world the benefits of standards.
1.2 Innovate to meet users’ needs
Opportunity statement
Technology is changing the way the world does business, collaborates and consumes content. ISO needs to ensure that it understands what this means for users – both users of the ISO system (participants in standards development) and users of ISO standards (customers). We need to consider the new challenges they face and how standards development processes (and the standards themselves) can evolve to better fit their needs. New technologies can drive this evolution towards innovative standardization products and solutions, but this must be aligned with user expectations. By monitoring technological innovation and analysing and anticipating users’ needs, ISO will transform how we create, format and deliver content to ensure our products and services are the most attractive and relevant on the market.
How will ISO seize this opportunity?
- Work with ISO members to systematically collect and analyse user feedback
- Monitor innovation and technological developments across a broad range of industries to explore how these might affect the standardization business and user needs/expectations
- Develop, test and deploy innovative products and solutions in collaboration with ISO members
Measuring progress
We measure member satisfaction to innovate standardization in ways that meet expectations and anticipate needs.
Meeting global needs
2.1 Deliver ISO standards when the market needs them
Opportunity statement
New technologies, changing customer expectations and the need to develop solutions to address urgent global challenges are putting pressure on ISO to adapt and accelerate its processes. Timeliness is key – ISO must get standards to market quickly, but without compromising the quality of its standards, the rigour of its processes or the engagement of the experts developing these standards. Effectively capturing and incorporating user needs will be a vital part of this process, to understand exactly when the market needs a standard, the content it must contain and the most efficient development approaches. We will need to become more agile, strengthen cooperation with other standards developers and partner with stakeholders to prioritize the most critical needs.
How will ISO seize this opportunity?
- Work with ISO members to gather insights into market needs and translate these to the international level
- Invest in training and technology to improve and streamline the standards development and production processes to ensure both timeliness and quality
- Maintain a range of standards products to meet the whole spectrum of market needs (including quick publication) and ensure that committees and stakeholders understand how to choose the right product for their needs
Measuring progress
We measure time taken to develop standards from multiple aspects to establish the right mix of skills, processes and deliverables to meet diverse and evolving standardization needs.
2.2 Capture future opportunities for international standardization
Opportunity statement
To ensure we fulfil our mission, we must anticipate market needs and challenges, and analyse where we can have the greatest impact today and in the future. This can be done through foresight, strategy and responsive action. Working with our members and partners, ISO will monitor global trends and challenges, explore the role of standards in the future and share this knowledge and insight to identify new or changing needs. Evaluating, prioritizing and responding to new opportunities in a timely way will position the organization as a leader in emerging sectors.
How will ISO seize this opportunity?
- Coordinate and promote strategic foresight activities within the ISO system
- Foster greater dialogue and collaboration amongst the ISO network around potential new standardization opportunities
- Explore pathways for monitoring, testing or developing potential new standardization subjects within the ISO system
Measuring progress
We evaluate whether our knowledge, participation and influence sufficiently addresses future standardization needs and establish how successfully we identify and respond to opportunity.
2.3 Advance environmental sustainability through ISO standards
Opportunity statement
Environmental sustainability is vital for people, planet and prosperity, both now and in the future. Climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss are transforming our societies, impacting our health, and changing the operating context for businesses and governments around the world. ISO is committed to contributing to a more sustainable world. To achieve this, we will actively ensure that environmental sustainability is prioritized in the development of ISO standards and that the ISO system strives to become sustainable. ISO seeks to become a role model organization for climate action and a leader in driving sustainability. ISO will show how standards are valuable assets to transform environmental commitments into effective action, contributing to national and international policy implementation. Working closely with strategic partners, ISO and its members will address evolving global needs to tackle urgent environmental sustainability challenges.
How will ISO seize this opportunity?
- Build strategic partnerships to amplify ISO’s voice and mobilize the ISO community to work together to achieve environmental sustainability
- Raise awareness of existing ISO standards, as well as revising and developing standards to tackle environmental challenges and support environmental sustainability
- Support national and international policy implementation linked to environmental sustainability, demonstrating how ISO standards can serve as tools to address environmental challenges
Measuring progress
We will measure the impact of strategic partnerships created around environmental sustainability, as well as participation in national and international fora and events. We will also measure the number of standards revised to consider climate change, and new ISO deliverables developed to meet environmental sustainability challenges.
All voices heard
3.1 Strengthen ISO members through capacity building
Opportunity statement
ISO is only as strong as its members. In every aspect of the ISO system, from engaging experts to promoting the benefits of standards, a strong national standards body is key to success. Building on the rich experiences and successes within its network, ISO will provide capacity building support to all its members to ensure strengths are shared and built upon. A large majority of ISO members are from developing countries and experience specific challenges when participating in, and benefiting from, international standardization; ISO will provide targeted support to this particular group of members.
How will ISO seize this opportunity?
- Work with members to increase their engagement and ensure they maximize the benefits offered by the ISO network
- Provide training and support (increasingly using online learning tools and virtual formats as well as in-person formats) to strengthen members’ skills and infrastructures, allowing them to fully participate in ISO standards development and governance
- Promote knowledge transfer within the ISO network, especially increased networking and collaboration between members (including at the regional level)
Measuring progress
We measure the different ways in which our members take part in international standardization, and how effectively we've enabled that participation, especially in developing countries.
3.2 Advance inclusivity and diversity in the ISO system
Opportunity statement
We must actively listen to all voices to ensure that our standards meet global needs. This is why the ISO system must be inclusive (welcoming and valuing difference) and ISO standards must be developed by groups that reflect the diversity of all stakeholders, standards users and beneficiaries. We will focus our efforts on building and maintaining an organizational culture that is inclusive and that, by promoting acceptance and respect, empowers people and allows diversity to thrive. This applies to both ISO standards development and ISO governance.
How will ISO seize this opportunity?
- Leverage technology to facilitate participation in ISO standards development for all groups of stakeholders, standards users and beneficiaries
- Instigate a culture change, together with ISO members, that engages all ISO stakeholders around diversity and inclusivity and encourages broad participation in ISO standards development and governance by underrepresented groups (e.g. women and the next generation of experts)
- Work with members on broadening stakeholder engagement and partnership-building efforts, to attract new voices and diverse perspectives to international standardization
Measuring progress
We will measure diversity within the ISO system (technical community, ISO governance groups and ISO/CS) to ensure it is representative of all stakeholders, standards users and beneficiaries.
Read more
The ISO Strategy 2030 outlines our vision and our mission for the next 10 years and a set of goals and priorities to help us get there. The three goals are stepping stones to our vision. We will focus on six priorities to achieve our goals and maximize our impact.
Snapshot
Download the PDF version