Annex 1 – Considerations When Planning a Testbed
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1494 – Guidelines on Harmonization of Testbed Reporting – (21 November 2014) - Annex 1 – Considerations When Planning a Testbed

Annex 1 – Considerations When Planning a Testbed

  1 General

  1.1 It is advisable that the following considerations are taken into account when planning testbeds as it will assist in the harmonized reporting of testbed results.

  1.2 When planning testbeds, the e-navigation solutions selected should ideally be linked to user needs and the objectives of e-navigation. Where possible, solutions should address gaps identified in the e-navigation gap analysis.

  1.3 It is recommended that testbeds take into account a structured, transparent, objective and repeatable methodology. Where the output is in the form of software tools, these should ideally be open-source, with arrangements in place for collaboration, incorporating user feedback and identified improvements.

  2 Architecture

  2.1 It is advisable that, without restricting innovation, testbeds align with the approved overarching e-navigation architecture and solutions including the technical/operational services in the Maritime Service Portfolios.

  3 User and stakeholder involvement

  3.1 Testbeds should ideally involve users and stakeholders at every stage – from planning to implementation and assessment of results.

  4 Human-centred design and quality assurance principles

  4.1 Human-centred design and quality assurance principles should be taken into account during the development of e-navigation solutions.

  5 Data structures

  5.1 The agreed Common Maritime Data Structure (CMDS) is the IHO S-100 Geospatial Information (GI) Registry. Testbeds should therefore preferably use the IHO S-100 framework for data modelling and exchange. Other data model frameworks may be used for testbeds. However, it is advisable that, for results to be of value to the development of e-navigation, steps should be taken to incorporate solutions into the IHO S-100 framework.

  6 Reference to the e-navigation documentation

  6.1 It is advisable that testbeds highlight links to user needs, gap analysis and solutions already identified.

  7 Sharing of information

  7.1 Information on testbeds should be provided to the Organization.


Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.