This is the unofficial web page for Working Group 2, Software Systems Documentation, of ISO/IEC JTC1/SC7 Software and Systems Engineering. WG2 is tasked with developing international standards in the area of software systems documentation, and is part of a structure formed under ISO and the IEC.
Participation in WG2 is open to anyone, through their national standards body.
Current active members of WG2 include:
| UK | Richard Hodgkinson (WG2 convenor) | Richard_Hodgkinson@btinternet.com |
| Australia | Daryl Colquhoun | |
| Canada | Ralph Robinson | r2inovatns@look.ca |
| Japan | Yoshikazu Yamamoto | yama@cs.keio.ac.jp |
| New Zealand | Margery Watson | margery.watson@docs-online.co.nz |
| UK | Mike Unwalla | mike@techscribe.co.uk |
| USA | Annette Reilly | annette.d.reilly@lmco.com |
| USA | Tom Kurihara | tkstds@mindspring.com |
Current WG2 work includes:
Revision of: ISO/IEC 9127 User Documentation and Cover Information for Consumer Software Packages
ISO/IEC 9127 has been available for some time, and details a minimum set of information that should be visible on the outside of a shrink-wrapped software package, and also the minimum information available in the enclosed documentation. WG2 is currently revising this Standard to bring it up to date with current software practice.
Proposed new standard: ISO/IEC CD 15289 Guide for the Application of ISO/IEC 12207 to the Documentation Process
ISO/IEC 12207 is a seminal standard detailing IT processes, and dovetails into other initiatives such as SPICE. This proposed document looks at ISO/IEC 12207 from a documentation perspective, and provides a guide for ISO/IEC 12207 users to the documentation that ISO/IEC 12207 requires.
Revision of: ISO/IEC 15910 Software user documentation process
ISO/IEC 15910 allows acquirers to specify the process used in developing documentation, therefore ensuring the quality of the delivered materials.
Proposed new project: Online Document Development Process
A brand new Japanese initiative, this project will look at standardising the process and tools for online user documentation.
Development of a complete suite of standards based on audience/task analysis
The WG is currently entering a new and exciting phase: the long-term planning and development of a suite of standards, each aimed at a particular audience. For further information, please see www.hci.com.au/iso/project_11.
Published standards
Important standards developed by WG2 which have already been published include:
ISO/IEC 18019:2004 Guidelines for the design and preparation of user documentation for application software.
ISO/IEC18019 provides both process and design guidelines. It describes how to establish what information users need, how to determine the way in which that information should be presented to the users, and how then to prepare the information and make it available. Here is an analysis of the content of 18019.
ISO/IEC TR 9294:2005 Guidelines for the management of software documentation.
ISO/IEC Technical Report 9294 provides guidance on the management of software documentation to managers responsible for the production of software or software-based products. This guidance will help managers ensure that effective documentation is produced by their organisation. All types of software documentation are addressed, relating to all stages of the software life cycle.
Web site hosted courtesy Australian technical writer agency HCi.