New gTLD Subsequent Procedures

Assumptions for use in Preliminary
Planning WorkICANN 65 Policy Forum|1

AgendaAssumptions:1.

Timeline to next round2.

Expected volumes of applications and processing time3.

Policy implementation

4.

Readiness activities

5.

Systems & tools

6.

Operational processes

7.

People

8.

Costs

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1. Timeline to Next Round
1.1

Board adoption of the policy recommendations from the Subsequent
Procedures PDP Working Group’s final report is a dependency forthe opening of the next application window.

1.2

Policy implementation, readiness activities and operational processes
will be completed prior to the opening of the next round.

|32. Expected Volumes of Applications and Processing Time
2.1

Guidance from the Board regarding assumptions for subsequent proceduresis critical to ICANN org’s planning for the next and subsequent rounds.

2.2

The application volume, in the next round, will be roughly the same number ofapplications as in the 2012 round: ~2,000 applications.

2.3

Ongoing application volume for subsequent procedures will be significantly
lower.

2.4

Application prioritization will be required to effectively sequence application
processing.

2.5

There will be no changes to the 1,000 TLDs/year maximum delegation rate.

2.6

For ongoing subsequent procedures, ICANN org assumes an annual
application window of one to three months in duration, with subsequent
application windows opening during the same timeframe, once per calendar
year.

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3. Policy Implementation
3.1

There will be changes to the program implementation, based on thepreliminary recommendations of the three (3) initial reports published by theSubsequent Procedures PDP Working Group.

3.2

Policy implementation materials are anticipated to include significant
documentation, and be detailed and comprehensive, which were not includedin the scope of the 2012 Applicant Guidebook.

3.3

Policy implementation materials will be developed with appropriate
consideration of community input.

3.4

Policy implementation materials will be completed prior to the opening of thenext round.

|54. Readiness Activities
4.1

Operational infrastructure (people, processes, systems) will be established tosupport subsequent application rounds for the long-term introduction of newgTLDs, not just a single round.

4.2

Program readiness activities, including staffing, process design, systems
development, and vendor procurement will be completed prior to the openingof the next round.

|65. Systems & Tools
5.1

Systems and tools planning and design should be based on a clear
understanding of program processes and requirements.

5.2

Systems and tools development will be completed prior to opening the next
application round.

5.3

Technology investments are planned to be limited to only those capabilities
needed to ensure the security, stability and consistency of application
submission, processing and communications.

5.4

System testing, security testing and operational pilot testing to ensure
systems and tools are fit for purpose will be completed prior to the opening of
the next round.

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5. Systems & Tools, Continued
5.5

Development of process and workflow management tools will be focused on
solving for data-intensive activities and critical program functions in order tobalance automation vs. manual tools.

5.6

Existing materials, systems, and tools will be leveraged as much as possible.
Internal knowledge and expertise will be prioritized, and as little as possible
will be outsourced.

5.7

All new systems and tools will be developed on one of the 3 principal ICANNorg platforms: Oracle, Alfresco, or Salesforce.

|86. Operational Processes
6.1

Well-defined operational processes are critical to smooth program operations
and satisfactory applicant experiences.

6.2

Design and documentation of program processes will be completed prior tothe opening of the next round.

6.3

Staff training on program processes and tools will be completed prior to theopening of the next round.

|97. People
7.1

Proactive resource planning will be completed in order to adequately staff theprogram team to meet deadlines.

7.2

Org staff will be utilized to perform program management, program operations
and program administration functions.

7.3

Org will outsource critical application functions such as application evaluationand objection processing, to expert firms with requisite subject matter expertise.

7.4

Org currently lacks sufficient staff to implement new policy and prepare tooperate the next application round.

7.5

Additional staff will be hired based on needed skills and experience.

7.6

ICANN org will augment staff with temporary resources as needed to address
peak workload for activities which are not expected to be sustained for at least
24 months.
| 108. Cost
8.1

The program will continue to operate on a cost-recovery basis; it will befunded from application fees collected.

8.2

Tracking of program readiness costs should begin as rapidly as possible, inorder to capture development costs prior to the launch of the next round.

8.3

Comprehensive cost planning for program readiness and operations is criticalto accurate reporting and management of costs.

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