A NIEM release is a coherent set of schemas and supporting artifacts representing a specific version of the NIEM data model. Each release is produced in collaboration with the NIEM Business Architecture Committee (NBAC), the NIEM Technical Architecture Committee (NTAC), and the general NIEM community.
Visit this link to find out more about the current release.
A release can be a major or minor release.
A major release may include architectural changes, as well as content changes to any namespace.
Version numbers of major releases end with “.0”. For example, NIEM 3.0 and NIEM 4.0 are major releases.
A minor release allows domain content changes only - Core and the architecture are locked.
Core and all namespaces imported by Core will be locked until the next major release. A core supplement may be published as an interim solution, with changes published in newly created schemas that can be used additive to the release .
The second number in a NIEM release version is incremented for a minor release (for example, NIEM 2.1, NIEM 3.2).
NIEM has the option however of publishing a Core Supplement to make incremental Core updates or additions available as needed.
Domains also have the option of distributing supplemental or replacement schemas if needed outside of the regular release schedule by publishing a Domain Update.
NIEM has adopted the strategy of publishing annual releases in a three-year cycle: major - minor - minor. A major release one year will be followed by minor releases the next two years. This process has allowed NIEM to become more responsive to community needs while also providing a more predictable schedule.
A key feature of NIEM releases is that they are persistent. Information exchanges that are built based on NIEM will not break or become invalid just because NIEM publishes a new release. Old releases will remain available. The determination of if or when to update an exchange to use a newer version of NIEM is a business decision. NIEM’s release cycle does not dictate exchange development or updates.
To submit comments or suggestions about the content of a release, please file a new issue at the NIEM Releases repo or send an email.
Note that architectural feedback or issues should be submitted to the NDR issue tracker.