A standard is simply an agreement on common practices among multiple parties. Standards have been around for a long time – electric current, railroad gauges, the metric system, and even musical notation are examples of standards. However, the processes th

A standard is simply an agreement on common practices among multiple parties. Standards have been around for a long time – electric current, railroad gauges, the metric system, and even musical notation are examples of standards. However, the processes that interested parties follow to establish standards can differ dramatically. Standards can either be de facto (occurring as a result of natural market movement and adoption) or prescribed (established by formal agreement). De facto standards often result when one vendor dominates a market, while prescribed standards develop in competitive environments where market participants realize that agreement upon a standard will benefit all of the participants. De facto standards incite little argument, because the market as a whole decides them. However, prescribed standards cause much consternation, because of the often contentious processes that lead to their establishment.