Interoperability simply means the degree to which various organizations, processes, systems or individuals are able to operate together to achieve a common goal, without losing their original character or capacity. It brings elements of harmonization, mutual recognition, cooperation and even synergy to bear to support a common enterprise.

Interoperability may function at strategic, operational, tactical and technological levels and when integrated into process, program or project design, in the design of performance standards interoperability design is particularly successful. THSG has pioneered this approach and delivered interoperable standards in the fields of Air Cargo Security, Transportation of Dangerous Goods/Hazardous Materials and Public Health Information Sharing.

THSG has worked with interoperability leaders to develop a disciplined approach to supporting effective interoperability design. Balancing practical design principles with best practices THSG has developed three service areas that assist clients in reducing process redundancy, improving throughput and enhancing quality:

1. Interoperability Analysis - Comparative reviews: Identifying and then reporting on interoperable options representing best practices at the strategic, policy, semantic and technical levels. Clients then review a targeted industry based report of opportunities for interoperable options.


2. Process, Semantic and Organizational mapping: Identifying on a process based level, organizational systems, common vocabularies and potential redundancies, this review provides a comprehensive look at selected segments or the entire organization to identify areas for potential interoperability instruments or tools.


3. Standards Development: Capturing and then modelling standards elements essential to the effective development of a suite of interoperable processes, this step by step approach builds the critical policy, technical and semantic linkages to permit effective interoperability.