Six Governing Bodies
IFO4 governance is structured across six bodies, each responsible for a critical dimension of the organization's mission.
Governance Principles
Every governing body operates under these foundational principles.
Transparency in all decision-making and standards development processes
Independence from vendor influence in all technical standards and certifications
Practitioner-centered governance that reflects real-world implementation needs
Meritocratic leadership based on expertise, contribution, and demonstrated impact
Global representation ensuring diverse perspectives shape the discipline
Continuous improvement driven by evidence, research, and community feedback
Governing Bodies in Detail
Click each council to explore its role, responsibilities, and composition.
How Standards & Policies Are Developed
IFO4 follows a structured, evidence-driven process for all major decisions.
Proposal
Ideas are submitted by councils, working groups, or community members and reviewed by the relevant governing body.
Review & Validation
The responsible council evaluates the proposal. The NTDG may be engaged for field validation and evidence gathering.
Approval
Approved proposals are formalized by the relevant council and ratified by the Global Council for organization-wide adoption.
Publication
Finalized standards, policies, and programs are published and communicated to the IFO4 community and ecosystem.
Get Involved in IFO4 Governance
IFO4 governance is designed to be accessible and community-driven. Members can contribute through working groups, council nominations, community feedback, and standards development participation.