Definition of power and responsibility [Re: Delegation of power(wasRE: Section 2.4 ofdraft-ietf-problem-statement-00.txt)]

[Margaret Wasserman]

My thoughts run something like this:

>What I propose is:
>
>  I think we should document in the problem statement that is
>  a perceived concentration of power (or lack of delegation of
>  power) with, perhaps, some short text about effects of such
>  a feeling.  I think that this is good to document, without
>  finger pointing.

This is similar to what we have in the current problem statement
(although we could use some rewording).  It does not force any
particular solution path.

>  Second, I think that there needs to be documentation to the effect
>  that definitions about the powers & responsibilities of different
>  parts of the IETF (IAB, IESG, WG chairs, individual participants)
>  are unclear.

This is a direction for a solution...  In the yet-to-be-written
process document, we might point in a direction and suggest a
process to reach a solution.  So, we might include your above
paragraph and (for example) suggest that a WG be formed to
document the powers/responsibilities at each level.

Authority and responsibility are two sides of the same coin.  You
can't expect people to take responsibility for things, unless they
have some authority over them...

BTW, I don't believe that we should "dilute" the power of the IESG.
_Someone_ has to do the things that the IESG is doing.  I do think
that it might be reasonable to spread that power over a larger group
of people, or over more than one group (side-by-side, or in layers).
But, some group _has_ to have ultimate authority over what does and
doesn't get published on the standards track.  And, some group (not
necessarily the same group) has to have authority over the process
(most notably the ability to start and stop WGs, agree to WG charter
changes, etc.).  I, personally, think that there would be benefits
to having the process management done in a separate group from the
quality assurance, but other clearly think otherwise.

Margaret



Margaret