Project 25 is a unique user-driven process created to establish current and emerging wireless communications standards that meet the requirements of the public safety community. In this standards development process, Project 25 is directly involved with users and manufacturers. It also involved the development of a partnership with the TIA. Using the TIA Engineering Manual, TIA may develop a suite of technical standards, telecommunications system bulletins and technical white papers that enable the development, manufacture and operation of interoperable Project 25 communications systems and system components that satisfy the Project 25 adopted requirements.

Subsequent to signing the MOU, in 1993 APCO officially changed its name to the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials-International, Inc. In 2007, NASTD officially changed its name to the National Association of State Technology Directors.
The formal relationship with TIA was established through the execution of a MOU that outlines the responsibilities and obligations of both parties and the framework that TIA and Project 25 agreed to work within.

A key element of the MOU is the clear understanding that the Project 25 Steering Committee may choose to select any standards proposal, telecommunications system bulletin, or white paper as a P25 Standard, but a TIA/Project 25 standard can only be created in accordance with the TIA-approved Engineering Manual, policies, and rules and regulations that coincide with the requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) process for Standards Development Organizations (SDO).

The Project 25 Standards Process is based on users determining the functionality and critical interfaces that require standardization to ensure interoperability among Project 25 system components produced by any manufacturer. While it is a user driven process, it is done in cooperation with industry to ensure both the expectations and deliverables can be achieved. These functionalities and interface requirements are documented in the Project 25 Statement of Requirements (P25 SOR). The P25 SOR is in turn approved and maintained by the P25 Steering Committee. Formal standard documents are developed, balloted, published, and maintained by the TR-8 Mobile and Personal Private Radio Standards Committee of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).

The P25 Steering Committee By-law document can be accessed using the link below:

Project 25 Steering Committee By-laws