# Improvement to Working Methods

## 1. Introduction

This contribution addresses the incoming liaison S4-251685 from the previous SA4 meeting by identifying a "pain point" in the current working methods and proposing a test run approach using TR 21.905 to modernize the format and contribution process for TRs and TSs.

## 2. Problem Statement

### Current Process Inefficiencies

- **Inefficient Term/Acronym Management**: Rapporteurs and specification editors are requested to include terms and acronyms not present in TR 21.905, but this mechanism is not efficient
- **Infrequent Updates**: The process to add new terms/acronyms to TR 21.905 is not triggered often by SA4, even for terms extensively used across SA4 specifications and other groups (e.g., XR)

### Identified Discrepancies

The contribution references an existing tool developed by IoTconsultancy.nl (available at https://3gpp.guru/) that enables lookup of acronyms and definitions across all 3GPP TS/TR documents. This tool highlights several discrepancies in 3GPP specifications:

#### Example 1: "XR" Acronym
- Not defined in TR 21.905
- Used across multiple specifications with varying definitions
- The tool can point to exact locations where acronyms are defined in different TRs/TSs

#### Example 2: "IMS" Acronym
- Long list of specifications using the acronym as defined in TR 21.905
- Also a long list of specifications using IMS with different meanings, variations, or typos

### Current Disclaimer Limitation

Most specifications include the disclaimer: "For the purposes of the present document, the abbreviations given in TR 21.905 [1] and the following apply. An abbreviation defined in the present document takes precedence over the definition of the same abbreviation, if any, in TR 21.905 [1]."

While strict alignment of abbreviations is not required, minimizing divergences would be desirable.

## 3. Proposal

### Develop an Equivalent Tool Within 3GPP

The contribution proposes evaluating whether an equivalent tool could be developed within 3GPP with the following capabilities:

1. **Online TR 21.905**: Have an online version of TR 21.905 as the entry point
2. **Online Development**: Continue to develop TR 21.905 via online mechanism
3. **Request Mechanism**: Define a mechanism for WGs to provide requests for adding new acronyms or terms to the online version of TR 21.905
4. **Search and Cross-Reference**: Allow searching for acronyms and terms with pointers across specifications

### Additional Benefits

- Harmonize acronyms and terms across specifications
- Identify typos that could be corrected more easily

### Rationale for Using TR 21.905 as Test Case

- **Universal Relevance**: TR 21.905 is relevant to all WGs and to all TRs and TSs of 3GPP
- **Engagement Opportunity**: Allows engaging all WGs in evaluating online tools on one common specification
- **Identify Common Needs**: May highlight common needs and differences between WGs before attempting to use/define tools for development of more substantial TR/TS
- **Uncertainty Management**: It is not yet clear that if the TR/TS development process changes, all WGs would have the same needs