Before starting the production of an extension, thorough planning is required to facilitate its successful development and subsequent use. This phase should include careful long-term and short-term planning, including consideration of the following topics:
- Scope and design of the extension
- Practical aspects related to extension development
- Ongoing operations and maintenance
The planning phase is about ensuring a balance between the scope and magnitude of the extension and the available resources, and about selecting appropriate methods and processes for the development, implementation and maintenance of the extension. It is important to be as thorough as possible during this phase to avoid unforeseen issues and to mitigate potential issues in subsequent phases of the extension lifecycle.
Planning Topic | Key Questions to Address | Resources |
|---|
| Scope and design | Requirements | - What is the overall purpose of the extension?
- Who are the main users of the extension?
| 2 Introduction 3 Purpose |
Content | - What is the scope of the extension?
- What type of content will be included in the extension? - e.g. what components and reference sets should be developed and what types of files should be produced?
| 4.3.1 Components 4.3.2 Reference Sets |
Prerequisites and dependencies | - Is the extension dependent on other editions, such as the International edition, and if so which editions?
- Are there other dependencies that influence the development of the extension? For example:
- Is the extension dependent on other information artifacts, such as other terminologies or classifications, or specific information model standards?
| 4.4 Editions 4.2.2 Module Dependencies |
| Practical aspects of development | Resources | - What resources are required for the development and maintenance of the extension?
Note: The resources available should be determined (time, money, people) to ensure a proper balance between the resources available and the tasks involved during each phase of extension development, implementation and maintenance. |
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Human resources | - What roles and competencies are required? For example:
- Clinical
- Terminology experts
- Technical and release experts
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Development approach | - What methods will be used for authoring and reviewing the content in the extension and assuring the required level of quality?
| 5.5 Review and Validation |
Tools | - What tools will be used to support extension development, distribution and maintenance processes?
Note: A suite of tools may be required to support the creation and management of an extension. The functional requirements of these tools depend on the extension's scope, content and a range of other factors. | 5.2.1 Tooling Requirements |
Timelines | - When and how often will the extension be released?
- What is the extension release cycle?
- tasks for each step?
- Who is responsible for each task during the release cycle?
- What are the key deadlines in the release schedule?
Note: It is important to consider both short-term and long-term requirements | 5.7 Maintenance |
Quality assurance | - What level of quality assurance (QA) is required, who will perform the QA, and when?
- What review methods will be used?
| 5.5 Review and Validation |
| Operations | Distribution | | 5.6 Distribution |
Implementation guidance | - What type of guidance is required for extension consumers?
- Who will develope the documentation and guidance material? (E.g. implementation guides, webinars, workshops)
| 5.6.3 Implementation Guidance |
Maintenance | - What methods and work processes are appropriate for the routine maintenance of the extension?
- What is the release cycle for the extension and/or edition?
- Will the extension be updated with every version of the International Edition? (Note: This is recommended.)
- Will the extension be released following a fixed cycle, or will new versions be released on demand?
Note: Please be aware that thorough validation and ongoing maintenance is required to ensure the long-term successful use of SNOMED CT. |
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