<< Click to Display Table of Contents >> Navigation:  Designing and Developing a DOI Application > Managing DOI Metadata Schemas > Creating or Updating a Metadata Schema

Authority to make changes in the existing DOI schemas lies with the Schema Working Group. Any member of the DOI Community may make proposals for updates to a schema, or for introducing a new schema, at any time. Implementing the changes will be the responsibility of the DOI Foundation's selected technical provider as managers of the schemas, who will acknowledge each proposal and give an estimated deliverable time according to the scope and complexity of the proposed changes.

The procedure is:

1.initial proposal
DOI RA member submits suggestions for changes to a schema, or for a new schema, to the Schema Working Group. These may be in the form of specific proposals (for example, the addition of a new allowed value or element) or of requirements (for example, a request to introduce a way of identifying the owner of a proprietary ID scheme in the Kernel). Others on the list may comment.

2.proposal agreed
If necessary, request for clarifications or comments and suggestions for implementation will be made, allowing time for anyone else on the list to respond. The aim is to reach consensus before going ahead to implement the change, and so the time period to reach agreement will vary according to the proposal: some will be very quick, other proposals may be abandoned if there is no agreement.

3.draft implementation
Once the proposal or requirement is clear, an estimated time will be provided for the update, and then issuance of new drafts of the appropriate schema(s) in the time frame, letting the Schema Working Group know in advance if there is going to be delay for any reason.

4.review updated or new draft schema
The group will be given an opportunity (typically a working week for routine changes) to make any comments on the drafts. If further revision is then needed, steps 3 and 4 will be repeated.

5.release of updated or new schema
When the updated schema is agreed, it will be put on the web site accessible to DOI Foundation members.

NOTE  RAs wishing to develop de novo schemes and new metadata applications are also encouraged to contact the DOI Foundation for advice.