1. Home
  2. activity areas
  3. wis
  4. amendment processes wis manuals and guides

Amendment Processes to WIS Manuals and Guides

Activity Areas (1)

WMO Information System (WIS)

 

The rules and procedures for amending the WIS manuals and WIS Guides are described in the Rules of Procedure for Technical Commissions (WMO-No. 1240). The WMO experts on the SC-IMT teams are responsible for proposing, documenting, and testing the amendments.

 

1. Fast Track Procedure

The fastest method to amending the manuals is by fast-track. This procedure occurs twice a year and the new amendments are implemented every May and November.  It is not appropriate for major revisions to the structure, major revisions of subject matter or introduction of new volumes.

This procedure shall only be used for amendments to the technical specifications in the following WIS manuals and guides.2

  • Manual on the WMO Information System WMO-No. 1060
    • Appendix A, Appendix C Part 2 section 3 (Data Dictionary) 
  • Guide to the WMO Information System WMO–No. 1061
    • Part V (Metadata guidance), Annex D (Training and Learning guide)
  • Manual on the Global Telecommunications System WMO-No. 386
    • Attachment I-1 (Arrangements for the collection of Ships weather reports and oceanographic reports (BATHY/TESAC)), Attachment I-2 (Configuration of the Main Telecommunications Network), Attachment II-5 (Data Designators T1T2A1A2ii in abbreviated headings)
  • Guide to Information Technology Security WMO-No. 1115
    • Whole document
  • Guide to Virtual Private Networks (VPN) via the internet between GTS centres WMO-No. 1116
    • Whole document 
  • Manual on Codes, Volumes I.2 and I.3 WMO-No. 306
    • Whole document
  • Manual on the WMO Integrated Global Observing System WMO-No. 1160
    • Appendix 2.4 (The WIGOS metadata standard) 

Workflow

  1. Requirements: Proposals for amendments are gathered year-round and documented in GitHub. 
  2. Draft Recommendation: The Expert Team prioritizes, proposes solutions, and validates amendments.
  3. Approval: Chair of the SC-IMT.
  4. Review: Summary of amendments are submitted to focal points with two months to review.
  5. Endorsement: President of INFCOM in consultation with SERCOM. 
  6. Adoption: President of WMO on behalf of the Executive Council. 
  7. Publication: Amendments are posted to WMO websites. The manuals and guides are translated and republished annually. 

Fast Track Schedules 

The exact target dates will vary every year. 

Fast Track 1

  • Feb: Submit draft amendments to National Focal Points for consultation.
  • April: Submit draft amendments for endorsement and adoption. 
  • May: Amendments are published and considered operational.

Fast Track 2

  • July: Submit draft amendments to National Focal Points for consultation.
  • Sept: Submit draft amendments for endorsement and adoption.
  • November: Amendments are published and considered operational

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last Update: 16 October 2023