New U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Director Kathi Vidal has been getting down to business. Since taking office last month Vidal has announced a bundle of changes, including several for the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. The PTAB hears challenges to validity brought under the America Invents Act, at times with billions of dollars riding on the outcome, among its many duties.

The PTO on Thursday announced an “interim process”—a tentative plan, subject to feedback from stakeholders and the public—to improve consistency among the PTAB’s 200-plus administrative judges while minimizing Vidal’s direct involvement. A group of eight PTAB judges of varying backgrounds will provide feedback to PTAB panels before they issue their decisions. PTO management will not be part of that process, contrary to previous administrations, in the wake of criticisms from Congress.