BIS Technical Committee
How to start a new BIS Technical Project – Project Proposal Rules
Introduction
The BIS receives many imaginative ideas for technical projects and aims to support a broad range of initiatives as far as it reasonably can. To do this fairly and transparently, a new three-tier classification framework for technical projects under the remit of the BIS Technical Committee has been introduced. This will enable the Society to support, not only fully BIS-owned flagship projects, but also endorsed external initiatives, whilst maintaining appropriate governance, quality assurance, and strategic alignment. Note: the BIS is not currently able to provide direct funding for projects, regardless of class.
The Three Classes of Technical Project
The three classes distinguish projects primarily by who initiates and leads the work, and the depth of BIS engagement in execution.
Class 1: BIS-Led Technical Projects
Projects conceived, defined, and led by the BIS, predominantly comprising BIS members, with full Technical Committee governance.
Class 2: BIS-Partnered Technical Projects
Projects initiated and led by external organisations (universities, SMEs, agencies, NGOs) with significant BIS member participation and formal BIS co-sponsorship.
Class 3: BIS-Affiliated Technical Projects
Projects initiated and led externally, without significant BIS participation, but which the BIS endorses as aligned with Society objectives and worthy of member attention.
The following text “How to start a new BIS Technical Project” (including Appendix 1) provides guidance on how to start a technical project and what to expect.
How to start a new BIS Technical Project
Ideas for a new project must be presented to the Technical Committee in a way that demonstrates that certain basic criteria have or will be met, i.e. by following the ‘Project Proposal Process’ described below.
This document must:
- Describe the proposed project;
- Confirm that the proposed project will have a leader;
- Show that the project has demonstrable support; and
- Confirm that the leader is prepared to submit a written progress report before each Technical Committee meeting (usually online every three months). Leaders of Class 1 Projects must also be prepared to attend the meetings to liaise.
The Project Proposal Process
The leader submits the new project proposal to the committee via the chair, using the format in Appendix 1 as a basis. This will be acknowledged and considered at the next quarterly meeting of the committee (usually online in March, June, September and December), and the outcome (rejection, acceptance, classification) notified soon afterwards.
The Outcome
The proposed leader will be informed shortly after the committee meeting:
- If declined, the reason why, with possible help and suggestions; or
- If accepted,
Class 1 Project: The BIS will adopt and facilitate the project, for instance by monitoring it at each Technical Committee meeting, offering help, advice and networking as required, listing and featuring it online, encouraging contributions to BIS media (online and in print) and conferences, providing admin support from HQ and use of the building in London for lectures and meetings;
Class 2 Project: The BIS “Champion” will offer advice and facilitate networking, listing and featuring the project online, encouraging contributions to BIS media (online and in print) and conferences. It may also be possible to use the building in London for lectures and meetings;
Class 3 Project: These are projects which the BIS endorses as aligned with Society objectives and worthy of member attention but provides very little practical support. Contributions to BIS media (online and in print) and conferences are encouraged.
Hints on meeting the criteria
Use the form at Appendix 1 as a guide.
Class 1 Project:
Description – Project title, type of project and brief summary.
Leader – this should be a BIS Member/Fellow who is prepared to propose and then actively run the project and submit a written report to each meeting of the Technical Committee.
Demonstrable support – it may be that the project has arisen through existing interest amongst the BIS membership, perhaps as an informal ‘interest group’, but should it be necessary to find out if other members are interested in a particular subject, the following steps are suggested:
- Attend the monthly online socials as advertised on the BIS website under ‘Upcoming Events’ (https://www.bis-space.com/events/) and join in the discussions
- Publicise the topic:
(i) on the BIS public Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/british.interplanetary)
(ii) On social media such as the BIS Discord Channel (https://discord.gg/AgcasGp3)
- Attend BIS meetings and speak to other members in person in the old-fashioned way! For details of meetings visit https://www.bis-space.com/events/
Class 2 Project:
Description – Project title, type of project and brief summary.
Leader – this may or may not be a BIS member/fellow who is prepared to propose and then actively run the project. The leader must also submit a written report to each meeting of the Technical Committee.
Demonstrable support – Identify a BIS “Champion” who will liaise with the Technical Committee and act as a point of contact within the BIS. Show that a project team has been assembled who have the expertise and commitment to complete the project.
Class 3 Project:
Description –. Project title, type of project and brief summary.
Leader – this may or may not be a BIS member/fellow who is prepared to propose and then actively run the project and submit a written report to each meeting of the Technical Committee.
Demonstrable support – Show that a project team has been assembled who have the expertise and commitment to complete the project.
Appendix 1
A sample format for submitting a technical project proposal to the technical committee:
BIS Technical Project Proposal Format
Project Name: e.g. Project XXX
Classification: e.g. feasibility study, hands-on project
Summary:
Start and end dates:
Project deliverables:
Long-term goal:
Technology timeframe: (i.e. Near-term (Present – 2030) / Mid-term (2030-2060) / Long-term (2060-2100) / Very long-term (2100+)
Demonstrable support:
Current BIS activity (if any):
Progress so far (if any):
BIS leader (name, membership no. and contact details):
Any further information:
Note: submitting the proposal confirms that the leader is prepared to submit a written progress report before each Technical Committee meeting and to attend the meetings to liaise
Please submit the completed proposal to the chair of the technical committee preferably by pasting into the form on the BIS website contact page https://www.bis-space.com/contact/ with subject “Technical Projects”. If that proves difficult, email as an attachment to [email protected].