Usually, the development process of a CiA document starts with a request, a so-called New Work Item Proposal (NWIP). CiA technical groups or any CiA member may initiate a NWIP. Then, the CiA office calls for experts. When there are at least three CiA members supporting the request, a New Work Item (NWI) is accepted and will be assigned to one of the existing CiA technical groups or a new one is established.

The responsible CiA technical group discusses the NWI (if available), and collects further requirements. CiA office prepares and provides a first Work Draft (WD), to be reviewed and commented by the group members. WDs are reviewed in an iterative process until the group decides to release the document as Draft Specification Proposal (DSP) or as Technical Report (TR).

A DSP is a CiA-internally released document. It is intended that interested parties implement it for evaluation purposes and to prove its practicability. Normally, after one year, the DSP is reviewed, modified, and enhanced, depending on the made experiences. The process of reviewing, modifying and enhancing the document is similar to the development of the first DSP version. While the process is ongoing, the document in progress will once again have the status WD, till the CiA working group decides to release the updated document.

The next level is the submission to the related CiA interest group (IG) for publication as Draft Specification (DS). A DS is reviewed systematically at least after five years. Some DS documents are part of CiA document series, which can be subscribed by CiA non-members.

NOTE: Do not underestimate the value of being part of CiA’s social network of CAN experts. Join CiA and have access to background information such as meeting minutes or join the group meetings to get connected with other CAN experts.

On request of CiA Interest Groups (IG) or the CiA Board of Directors, the Technical Committee can release a document as a Public Available Specification (PAS). A document in PAS status is reviewed systematically at least after five years. It is downloadable free of charge by registered CiA website visitors.

Additionally, CiA technical groups may release TRs, comprising application notes, implementation guidelines, and recommendations as well as digital annexes. TRs are normally downloadable free of charge by registered CiA website visitors.

CiA documents are written according to the editing guidelines and rules given in ISO/IEC directives Part 2, the CiA house style, and the CiA glossary of terms.