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Explore the detailed steps and importance of peer reviews in HL7, essential for artifact development, governance, and quality assurance.
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HL7 Peer Review Process Brought to you by Project Services Refer to slide notes for [footnote references] and additional info
Peer Review- Introduction • Merriam-Webster defines Peer Review as • a process by which something proposed (as for research or publication) is evaluated by a group of experts in the appropriate field [1] • Peer Reviews are used in many settings, particularly academic and professional settings, with the first known Peer Review dating back to 1665 [2] • Peer Review allows more ‘eyes’ on an artifact being developed
How Peer Reviews are used in HL7 • Used for Governance and Operations Manual (GOM) maintenance (see GOM §17.03.01) • Work Groups have used to mature content, resulting in ballot passage in one cycle • May be used to provide input on new HL7 processes, as defined in “Introducing New Processes to HL7”[3]
HL7 Peer Review[4] • The purpose of the peer review is to encourage a more complete review without going through the rigor of the ballot process • The review may also cover "partial" or incomplete artifacts • Peer Reviews may be scheduled outside the ballot review schedule to avoid “ballot fatigue” • Peer Reviews may be used by groups [5] to solicit input and perform quality assurance
Peer Review Steps (by role) Sponsor Group • Prepare artifact(s) • Plan logistics • Review Comments • Complete Peer Review Reviewers • Prepare comments • Submit comments
Step 1 - Prepare Artifact(s) An artifact is produced to a level that is deemed to be "as complete as possible without review" or ready for review outside the sponsor group, for example: • A task force group solicits input from the sponsor group • A sponsor group solicits input from other groups for specific project artifact deliverables • A group solicits input from membership, or selected “target audience”, on a new process
Step 2 - Plan logistics Upon agreement from the sponsor group the author distributes the artifact, announcement, and comment instructions: • The announcement must include the review timeline and instructions to submit comments. • The author may schedule a Question & Answer (Q&A) meeting to walk through the artifact or otherwise assist reviewers; include info in the announcement. • Multiple options for the peer review comment collection are available, supporting “Simple” or “In Depth” review.[6]
Step 3 - Prepare comments Reviewers go through the artifact identifying issues and concerns: • Multiple formats have been defined to collect comments, with differing degree of formality • The peer review form may be similar to a ballot comment spreadsheet, but with less information collected • Comments may be collected on a wiki page
Step 4 - Submit comments Reviewers submit their peer review comments as directed in the announcement: • Comments must be submitted by the deadline established by the sponsor group. Tip: Sponsor Group may want to remind reviewers of the impending deadline.
Step 5 - Review Comments Peer Review comments are reviewed: • Focus on improving the content of the artifact being reviewed, not dispositioning comments • Review approach may be “Simple” or “In Depth” • Simple - mark all items “Reviewed”; it is not necessary to categorize further • In Depth - identifying disposition for each line item (similar to ballot dispositions) • Review may be by a single individual, or task group, or other designee formed by the sponsor group
Simple: Apply comments to the artifact and determine publication for the next version: Schedule the content for another peer review, possibly widening the targeted reviewers Submit for ballot with concurrence of the sponsor group and appropriate project approvals In Depth: Schedule a call to walkthrough the comments (sponsor group and/or reviewers) Confirm resolutions, answer questions, identify rationale for rejections Disposition each line item Determine next step, e.g. subsequent peer review or ballot Step 6 – Complete Peer Review
Peer Review Options • Peer Review forms are available at: http://gforge.hl7.org/gf/project/psc/docman/?subdir=340 • Formats have been developed by: • Process Improvement Committee (PIC) • Less formal word document, recommended for “Simple” reviews • Project Services (PS) • Adapted from the ballot comment spreadsheet with input from the Service Aware Interoperability Framework (SAIF) Architecture Program (AP), suitable for either “Simple” or “In Depth” reviews • Architecture Review board (ArB) • Excel spreadsheet with minimal disposition categories; recommended for “In Depth” reviews
Peer Review Form – Project ServicesDeveloped by Project Services/SAIF AP This form is adapted from the Ballot Comment Spreadsheet
Peer Review Form – Project Services, cont. This form is adapted from the Ballot Comment Spreadsheet, but simplified to remove ballot specific content Simple reviews may set all dispositions to “Reviewed”
Comments or Questions? • Please forward comments or questions to the Project Services Co-Chairs • Contact information available at: • http://www.hl7.org/Special/committees/projectServices/leadership.cfm