Standardisation & Technology from Coursera

Welcome to the course standardisation and technology!

Do you already know what standards are? Could you image a world without standards? It is certainly not easy to visualize a world without standards and the huge importance of standards is often underestimated in our society. That is because such a vast amount are common to us and have been for ages. We don’t even realise they are standards anymore.

We are excited to see you join and explore the world of standards that goes unnoticed by so many! First we visit historic examples of standards and see that even Before Christ standards were ever present. But since then standards have grown and evolved alongside societies and we need to discuss the fundamentals of standards and standard setting.

Nowadays technology is rapidly advancing and standards play an ever increasing role. Have you ever wondered what happens under the hood of your mobile phone? How are we able to orchestrate something so huge as the internet without technical agreements and protocols, without standards? We take a look at the organisations that develop and maintain these standards and even take a brief glimpse in the future of this ever evolving field!

Each week video lectures and reading material according to the bibliography in in the introduction will be provided. Practice tests will help you to prepare for the graded assessment at the end of each week.

Good luck and we hope you enjoy the course!

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Welcome to the course Standardisation and Technology. First we will go through history and find that standards have always been part of human society. Even if you maybe had not realised it yet. But the world has since developed into the current information age. And standards had to develop accordingly. We will discuss the fundamentals, the organisations that draft, oversee and exercise standards ánd the societal necessity and dependance on good standards. Already have a look at the reading materials you will be using throughout the course. We hope you join and enjoy the course and realise what an impact standards have on our (and your) day-to-day life!

History

How many decades can we go back to still see standards used by humans? Or maybe go back even more, how many ages or how many millennia? Before we dive into this: Have you ever thought about how you knew how far back a decade is? Right, time is indeed a prime example of standardisation, even moreso our time zones. But there are many more examples, let us discuss a few. Can you think of any other historic examples of standards?

Fundamentals

Now that you have become acquainted with standards throughout history, it is important to recognize what defines a standard. We will walk you through the fundamentals of standardisation, the different parties that are involved in the development. The parties that require standards, the parties that impose regulations. Altogether the development process takes a lot of consideration and in this modules we aim to shine light on the basics to good standards.

Standards Developing Organisations

According to the free internet encyclopedia: "A standards organisation, standards body, standards developing organisation (SDO), or standards setting organisation (SSO) is an organisation whose primary activities are developing, coordinating, promulgating, revising, amending, reissuing, interpreting, or otherwise producing technical standards that are intended to address the needs of a group of affected adopters." So SDOs essentially do 'everything' with regard to standardisation? We will show you exactly what SDOs do and more importantly how different SDOs operate in this module.

Consortia

What happens when technological progress severely outpaces the development of new standards by the SDOs? New products need new guidelines or standards to abide to, but if there are no suitable standards technological process is hindered. Around the 1980s, the technological advancement was too quick for the (alleged) bureacratic & sluggish SDOs. In response the industry started consortia to fill this lack of standards and start developing themselves. Find out more and also get acquainted with some of the most recognised consortia!

Future use and role of standards

Finally we arrive at the crossroads of present day standardisation. Since the 1980s technological advancement has not slowed down. Moreover, technology that was previously thought impossible is already right around the corner. Areas like smart mobility, articifical intelligence and machine learning not only require standards to function but also to remain within ethical boundaries. How should, or even can, we define ethics in standards and what about privacy? Technology tends to infringe on this human right more and more. Can we rely on standards alone to set the stage? Form your opinion and learn more about the intricacies between these two subjects.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches the fundamentals of standardization, which are essential for those working in fields that rely on technical standards

Provides an overview of the history of standardization, highlighting its importance throughout human society

Covers the role of standards developing organizations (SDOs) and consortia in the standardization process

Examines the future use and role of standards in emerging technologies such as smart mobility, AI, and machine learning

Requires learners to have a basic understanding of standards and their importance

Provides examples of historic standards, but could include more recent and practical examples

Reviews summary

Highly rated standards course

Learners say this standardization course is excellent and they are thankful for taking it. The course is useful for understanding the challenges of establishing new standards, while considering human attitudes and goals. Reviews indicate that the course is not only well-structured but also engaging because it combines readings and videos. One student notes that the course shows the historical impact of standardization while focusing on autonomous driving and privacy.

Well-structured course

"This course is well-structured."

Useful and practical

"Most useful this course."

Explores the impact of standardization

"shows the historical impact of standardization"

Engaging readings and videos

"combines readings and videos"

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Standardisation & Technology with these activities:

Review ICT history

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Introduce the history of ICT to provide context and foundation.

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Research milestones in the history of ICT
Analyze the impact of ICT on society and industry
Describe the evolution of computing hardware and software

Participate in ICT discussion forums

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Foster peer learning, engagement, and critical thinking.

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Join online or offline discussion forums
Contribute to discussions by sharing insights and perspectives
Engage in constructive debates and discussions

Develop an ICT infographic

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Enhance comprehension and visual retention by creating an infographic.

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Choose a topic from the ICT course
Research and gather relevant information
Design and create the infographic using visual tools

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Career center

Learners who complete Standardisation & Technology will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Standardization Engineer

Standardization Engineers help facilitate standards development across industries, which may include developing testing methods, performance specifications, and codes. In this role, you will use your understanding of standards set by ISO/IEC, IEEE, and other organizations to determine how your company's products will comply with industry best practices. As a Standardization Engineer, your role will be to ensure that you are keeping up with rapidly advancing technology. For example, you will need to be aware of how artificial intelligence and machine learning can impact your industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Standardization Engineer

Quality Assurance Analyst

Quality Assurance Analysts work to ensure that released products and services adhere to customer, legal, and regulatory requirements. Your knowledge of standardization can help build strong quality assurance programs for your organization. Your work will involve testing products against standards and then creating reports and documentation to communicate your findings to stakeholders throughout your organization. Organizations such as the IEEE can help you understand the fundamentals of how standards are set, which can help you to bridge the gap between standard-setting bodies, suppliers, and your company.

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Standards Compliance Manager

As a Standards Compliance Manager, you will be responsible for understanding complex standards and regulations, as well as being able to clearly communicate your interpretations to your organization. You may need to create policies and procedures that will help your company stay in compliance with industry regulations. Your deep knowledge of standards and legislation will play an important role in your success in this position.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the success of products, both physical and digital. In this role, you will work to define product requirements and communicate them to Engineers, Designers, and the Marketing team. You will need to be aware of industry standards and best practices so that you can incorporate them into your product vision. Understanding how standards are set will give you an advantage over others in your field.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers translate complex technical information into easy-to-understand language. Your knowledge of standardization will allow you to quickly familiarize yourself with the standards and regulations that apply to a given product. You will also be able to use standardized templates and style guides to ensure consistency in your work. This course will also help you understand the importance of ethical standards and how to incorporate them into your work.

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Standards Developer

Standards Developers work on creating and maintaining technical standards for products, services, and processes. Your knowledge of history of standardization will help you to understand the importance of standards and how they have evolved over time. You will also be familiar with the work of Standards Developing Organizations such as ISO/IEC and IEEE, including how they cooperate to create and maintain standards.

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Quality Control Inspector

Quality Control Inspectors are responsible for ensuring that products and services meet established standards. Your knowledge of standardization will help you to interpret standards and regulations, as well as to develop and implement quality control procedures. You will also be able to use standard testing methods to ensure consistency in your work.

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Compliance Officer

Compliance Officers are responsible for ensuring that their organization complies with all applicable laws and regulations. Your knowledge of standardization will help you to understand the importance of standards and how they can be used to achieve compliance. You will also be familiar with the work of Standards Developing Organizations such as ISO/IEC and IEEE, including how they cooperate to create and maintain standards.

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Regulatory Affairs Manager

Regulatory Affairs Managers are responsible for ensuring that their company complies with all applicable regulations. Your understanding of standardization will help you to understand the regulatory landscape and how standards can be used to achieve compliance. You will also be familiar with the work of Standards Developing Organizations such as ISO/IEC and IEEE, including how they cooperate to create and maintain standards.

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Risk Manager

Risk Managers are responsible for identifying and mitigating risks to their organization. Your knowledge of standardization will help you to understand the importance of standards in risk management. You will also be able to use standards to develop and implement risk management strategies.

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Project Manager

Project Managers are responsible for planning, executing, and closing projects. Your knowledge of standardization will help you to manage projects more effectively. You will be able to use standards to define project requirements, develop project plans, and track project progress.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of their organization. Your knowledge of standardization will help you to streamline operations and improve efficiency. You will be able to use standards to develop and implement operating procedures, as well as to train staff on standard practices.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts are responsible for analyzing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. Your knowledge of standardization will help you to identify and implement best practices. You will also be able to use standards to develop and implement business process improvement plans.

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Systems Analyst

Systems Analysts are responsible for designing and implementing computer systems. Your knowledge of standardization will help you to design systems that are interoperable and efficient. You will also be able to use standards to develop and implement system documentation.

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Software Engineer

Software Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and testing software. Your knowledge of standardization will help you to develop software that is reliable and secure. You will also be able to use standards to develop and implement software documentation.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer