Standard Levels

Proposed Standard

Complete, credible specification
Demonstrated utility
At least 6 months, no longer than 2 years,
then either elevated, deprecated, or recycled

Draft Standard

Multiple, independent,
interoperable implementations
Limited operational experience - works well
At least 4 months, no longer than 2 years, then
elevated, deprecated, recycled, or back to Proposed

Standard

Demonstrated operational stability
"The real thing"
Can stay forever, or can be moved to Historic
(new versions must start over from the beginning)