03 / How We Work
How the standard operates.
MortarCAPS is the independent NFP that stewards MCDS. We govern the standard, convene the sector, and publish releases. We do not sell software, and we do not represent a single vendor.
01 Operating principles
A small, focused org with a sector-wide remit.
Open governance
Every working group is documented.
Architecture, design, vendor, and audience working groups meet on published cadences. Terms of Reference are public. Anyone in a member institution can contribute.
Public draft windows
No surprises.
Every release goes through a structured public draft window — typically five weeks — before it is adopted. The whole sector gets to push back before anything ships.
Versioned and signed
Releases you can plan against.
Major releases are versioned (V1, V2.0.1, V2.1, V2.2) with clear change logs, deprecation policies, and reference data updates. Institutions can plan adoption against a real roadmap.
Vendor-funded
Free for institutions.
Institutions access MCDS free through their peak-body membership. Vendors and implementation partners pay licence fees that fund neutrality, governance, and ongoing development.
02 Effort vs. benefit
What each side gives. What each side gets.
Institutions
Gives — Working group time, feedback, real-world testing.
Gets — Free access to a sector-owned standard. Lower integration costs. A real seat at the table on every major release. Reduced reporting burden over time.
Vendors
Gives — Licence fees that fund the org. Engineering effort to align products.
Gets — Worldwide territory to operate, the right to use the MCDS Logo as proof of alignment, and a route to every MCDS-aligned institution.
Governments
Gives — Engagement on standards-as-infrastructure.
Gets — A sovereign, sector-owned data layer for skills policy, AI assessment validation, CPL/PLAR, and reporting. No private-sector rent on the substrate.
Want to shape the standard?
Join a working group, attend a townhall, or submit a feedback ticket on the next public draft.