NENA Knowledge Base Frequently Asked Questions

From NENA Knowledge Base

NENA Knowledge Base Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the NENA Knowledge Base?

NENA Knowledge Base (NENAkb), found at kb.nena.org, is a resource for readers of NENA publications and for the members of the NENA Development Group (NDG) committees that prepare them. It includes:

  • NENA Development Group Articles: Articles are NENAkb Pages containing information prepared by the NDG Working Groups responsible for the development of NENA Standards and other documents.
  • NENA Development Group Guide: Content that describes how the NDG develops and approves documents and supporting material for the 9-1-1 community. It includes information and resources to assist NDG leaders in managing their groups according to NENA's policies, including step-by-step instructions for using NENA’s collaboration platform (currently NENA Workspace) and help with NENA forms.

What is a NENA Knowledge Base Page?

A NENA Knowledge Base Page is a web page (like this one) that is part of the NENAkb. A Page may contain a Glossary term, an Article, or instructions for NDG leaders on how to use NENA’s collaboration platform to manage documents and meetings. Every Page includes a unique title, a web URL, and is usually assigned to one or more Categories. A Page may be downloaded as a PDF document using the “Printable version” tool.

What is a NENA Knowledge Base Category?

Categories identify the functional purpose of each Page. Categories may determine the kinds of approvals that are required to make changes to a Page. The list of Categories and the Pages identified in those categories are here.

These categories have special significance and may have different approval processes:

  • Glossary: Pages in the Glossary category contain terms that have been defined and approved in published NENA documents or as a result of an approved Issue Submission Form (ISF).
  • Admin: Pages in the Admin category contain processes and procedures that the Development Steering Council (DSC) requires for NDG operations. Admin pages may include processes described in the NENA Development Group Organizational Structure and Operational Procedures, NENA-ADM-001, as well as processes that do not directly affect American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requirements. NENA is an ANSI Standards Development Organization (SDO) and, as such, is required to follow ANSI requirements in the development of Standards. More information can be found at www.ansi.org. Admin category Pages may only be changed after approval by the DSC, following an All-Committee Review.
  • Guide: Pages in the Guide category contain Help Pages for how to use NENA's forms and collaboration platform (i.e., NENA Workspace) for conducting NDG business.
  • Proposed NDG Review: Pages in the Proposed NDG Review category are new or existing Admin Pages or Glossary Pages that materially affect definitions, processes, or procedures. These Pages are available for a time-limited All-Committee (NDG) Review and may only be changed with DSC approval.
  • Proposed New Page: Pages in this category do not have content that materially affects definitions, processes, or procedures but are suggested for organization or clarity. These Pages are available for a time-limited online comment period by NDG members.
  • Proposed Change: Pages in this category do not have substantive changes that materially affect definitions, processes, or procedures but are suggested for organization or clarity. These Pages are available for a time-limited online comment period by NDG members.
  • Proposed Deletion: Pages in this category have been proposed for deletion.  For example, the References Working Group may propose deletion of any Glossary term that does not appear in any NENA publication or does not conform to the Glossary inclusion criteria described on the Knowledge Base Home Page.

What is the Glossary?

The Glossary is made up of all of the Pages in the Glossary category and includes terms, abbreviations and definitions that are used in the emergency services community and NENA publications. Most Glossary Pages also include reference links to NENA publications and some have reference links to external sources. The items in the Glossary are contributed by NDG Working Groups in approved documents and other reference material. There are guidelines for what kinds of terms may be added to the Glossary.

Aren't there better, public sources for the information and Glossary terms in the Knowledge Base?

Many of the terms in the Glossary may have good, detailed definitions elsewhere, but none of them address how NENA Standards deal with the topic(s), and few of them direct readers to the relevant NENA documents.

How do I submit a question about the NENA Knowledge Base?

Use the Contact Us Page to submit a comment or to ask a question about the NENA Knowledge Base.

Who can submit requests to add, change, or delete Pages, including Glossary terms, in the NENA Knowledge Base?

Anyone may submit an ISF (Issue Submission Form) describing a requested add, change, or deletion on the NENA Knowledge Base, including substantive changes to Glossary terms. Click here to see how.

How do I report errors, bad links, or other problems in the NENA Knowledge Base?

Use the Contact Us Page to submit a comment and report NENA Knowledge Base errors. For substantive changes, use the ISF process. Click here to see how.

What changes to the NENA Knowledge Base require NDG review and DSC approval?

The References Working Group is responsible for implementing NENA Knowledge Base changes according to the approval processes described in the NENA Knowledge Base Management Policies. The changes requiring NDG review and DSC approval would include:

  • Glossary terms in the Abbreviations, Terms, and Definitions table in approved NENA publications
  • NENA Reference (REF) material, if recommended by DSC to be added as a NENA Knowledge Base article
  • Approved changes submitted with an ISF (Issue Submission Form)
  • Changes to Pages in the Admin category

What authority does the References Working Group have in making changes to the NENA Knowledge Base?

The References Working Group is responsible for implementing NENA Knowledge Base changes according to the approval processes described in the NENA Knowledge Base Management Policies. The References Working Group is required to implement additions or changes published in DSC-approved NENA publications or Issue Submission Forms (ISFs). The References Working Group may make spelling and grammar corrections without formal review and approval. The References Working Group may make some changes that are more substantial than spelling and grammar corrections but these are subject to the Implied Consent If No Objections process.

How do you see the history of any NENA Knowledge Base Page, including Glossary terms and articles?

Click on View history on the top menu of any page. A useful guide for interpreting the information on the history page can be found in this YouTube View History tab video.

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