Standards
Developing shared frameworks for trust — the standards work of Acacia Trust.
The Core Argument
Standards are the shared frameworks that make trust scalable. Without standards, trust is fragmented and unreliable. With standards, trust can grow.
The shipping container taught us that standards are essential for moving value at scale. Without standardised containers, global trade would be slow, costly, and unreliable.
The same is true for trust infrastructure. Without standards for judgment, trust, and context, the Judgment Economy will be fragmented and inefficient.
Acacia Trust develops the standards that make trust scalable.
Types of Standards
The standards we are developing.
Standards for judgment
What does good judgment look like? How is it evaluated? How is it trusted? These standards define the quality of judgment.
Standards for trust
What makes someone or something trustworthy? How is trust measured? How is it verified? These standards define trustworthiness.
Standards for context
What context is needed? How is it documented? How is it transferred? These standards define the container for intelligence.
Standards for accountability
Who is accountable? How is accountability tracked? What are the consequences of failure? These standards define responsibility.
The Acacia perspective:
These standards are not designed to be restrictive. They are designed to be enabling. They provide the shared framework that makes trust scalable.
How We Develop Standards
A collaborative, evidence-based process.
Evidence-based
Our standards are based on evidence, not opinion. We draw on research, case studies, and practical experience.
Collaborative
We develop standards collaboratively. We engage stakeholders from across the ecosystem — practitioners, researchers, policymakers.
Iterative
Our standards are not static. They evolve as we learn more, as the environment changes, and as new challenges emerge.
Open and accessible
Our standards are open and accessible. Anyone can use them, adapt them, and contribute to them.
Key insight:
Standards are not imposed from above. They are developed collaboratively, grounded in evidence, and refined through practice. This is how they gain legitimacy and trust.
The Standards as Infrastructure
How standards enable the ecosystem.
Interoperability
Standards enable interoperability. They allow different systems, institutions, and people to work together seamlessly.
Trust transferability
Standards enable trust to transfer across contexts. When everyone follows the same standards, trust can move with people and organisations.
Accountability
Standards enable accountability. They create clear expectations that can be monitored and enforced.
Learning
Standards enable learning. They provide a common language and framework that allows people to share lessons and improve together.
The Acacia perspective:
Standards are the invisible infrastructure of trust. They are the shared frameworks that make the ecosystem work. Without them, we are building on sand. With them, we are building on rock.
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