Step 1: Topic & author identified

• TBC approves topic and author
• TBC Chair confirms author and TBC shepherd
• Shepherd provides author guidance
• Chair sets draft production schedule

Step 2: Initial draft

• Shepherd and contract editor work with author to develop text
• Policy Director and Chair provide feedback/edits
• Draft revised (if needed)
• Draft copy edited

Step 3: Review & comment

• Draft circulated to TBC and external reader(s), for feedback
• Draft approved for delivery to TPC or returned to Step 2

Step 4: TPC Approval

• TPC reviews and approves TechBrief or returns to TBC for revision.

Step 5: Production

• Contract editor copy edits final draft
• Chair [and shepherd] and Policy Director review and finalize text (including BTN) and identify jump quotes
• ACM publications performs final editing and formatting.
• Any latent errors/issues addressed by layout contractor
• ​

Step 6: Copyright

• Formatted TechBrief reviewed by Chair and Policy Director and sent to author
• Chair and Policy Director select image and pull-quotes
• Author executes ACM copyright agreement.
• ​

Step 7: Review & approval

• Formatted TechBrief circulated to TBC for informal approval and TPC for formal approval
• ACM Communications coordinates press release with author, Chair, and Policy Director

Step 8: Publication

• TechBrief uploaded to ACM Digital Library
• Publication announced by Chair on TBC and TPC listservs
• Publication announced on Europe TPC and USTPC listservs and distributed to subscriber listserv by Policy Director
• Publication on appropriate acm.org pages coordinated with ACM Communications and announced on ACM Policy social media accounts and listservs by Policy Director
• Press release issued by ACM Communications