Working Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are working groups?
A: WBF working groups are a means for WBF members to collaborate and investigate manufacturing automation topics in greater detail and frequency than WBF conferences currently allow.
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Q: What is their purpose?
A: The purpose of working groups is to publish a working group report providing insight to a manufacturing automation related topic. In order to generate a report working groups will need to meet, in some form whether in person, electronically or by phone. The frequency of the meetings and how they are run are for each working group to determine.
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Q: Why does WBF need them?
A: The working group concept was adopted since there is no formal way for manufacturing automation professionals to collaborate on topics of interest. The international standards organizations provide a means to create standards, and the annual WBF conference provides an excellent forum for presenting papers, yet there was no formal method for small groups of professionals to delve deeper into topics and to publish their results. WBF working groups provide this formal method.
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Q: How do they function?
A: Working groups are intended to be fairly self-regulating with a minimal set of guidelines to provide consistency between working groups and a framework for their operation. The working group members elect a leader, decide on when, where and how (e.g. physical, electronic or phone meetings) to meet, their purpose and work products. The output of a working group should be a working group report that will be published by WBF as well as elsewhere as the working group desires.
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Q: What working groups exist?
A: As working groups are formed the WBF working group web pages will list them, provide contact information and summaries of their purpose and progress.
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Q: What is a working group report?
A: A working group report is a document detailing the findings of a working group. The document can be of any length and include logic drawings, software applications or other media. The working group committee will work with the working groups to provide a minimum level of consistency and guidance, however the ultimate content and format will be decided upon by each working group.
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Q: Don't working groups duplicate the work of the ISA Committees?
A: No. The WBF working groups are not standards committee, and their reports do not have the status of standards. However, there are many topics not covered in detail in the ISA standards that working groups can address. Also the WBF working groups can address new technologies or industry issues far more quickly than international standards bodies.
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Q: How do working groups communicate with one another?
A: Working Groups rely on WBF web-based communities, which include discussion boards, mailing lists and the opportunity to post works in progress for group members to review, comment on and revise.
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