Role of Liaison

The Staff Contact for a Working Group, with the Chair’s assistance, appoints a liaison as needed where two groups have strong dependencies; see the list of W3C liaisons. The Liaison’s primary role is to facilitate resolution of the dependency between the two groups.

An overall question: is there always a “Group A” & “Group B,” in other words a “home” group that is having its requirements considered in a “host” (or ‘target’??) group, or is the liaisoning relationship sometimes completely mutual?

Ensures adequate Dependency statement

• Is familiar with W3C Process and the W3C Guide.

• Reviews (hopefully) existing dependency statement, otherwise ensures that appropriate dependency statement is written.
• Contributes additional ideas to dependency statement as needed to update or make more accurate.

Monitors discussion in both Groups

• Keeps current with discussion and document progress in both Groups? (?Should a liaison have to fulfill active membership requirements in both groups? could be prohibitive)
• Monitors status of technical issues related to areas of dependency.
• Maintains coordination with Chairs of both Groups.

Keep each Group informed of the other’s requirements & timelines

• Notifies either Group when dependency issues need discussion/negotiation.
• Explain, or ensures explanation of, technology or requirements of the other Group as needed (e.g., a tutorial, for instance of Group B’s technology for Group A’s requirements exploration).

Ensure resolution of dependencies

• Ensures discussion and consensus in Group A on requirements to bring to Group B.
• Represents requirements of Group A to Group B.
• Assists in negotiating requirements of Group A with Group B with assistance of Staff Contact, and Project Lead as needed.
• Brings back follow-up items for discussion as needed…