In the Summer of 2024 I was awarded a grant by Summer of Protocols to research the Internet Engineering Task Force and the protocols they use to make protocols using several pattern languages as a lens.
Remarkable Regenerative Patterns and Practices of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
Here is a link to Version 1.0 as a PDF
We are organizing a Learning Journey to the IETF 127 in San Francisco. You can learn more here: BetterCollaboration.xyz
Abstract
The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is not well-known outside of technical communities. Its impact on the everyday lives of billions of people is profound yet paradoxically almost invisible. Attention and resources rightfully flow towards unsolved problems and contentious issues and away from whatever is functioning smoothly. We owe a debt of gratitude not only to the initial inventors of the protocols that make the Internet possible but also to their profound commitment to preserving the freedom and openness of the incredible resources they help create.
This work reports on research focused on the Internet Engineering Task Force’s (IETF) innovative processes for creating protocols for all – descriptions of how to move data in networks of computers – as well as protocols for its own governance. The IETF uses a sophisticated tool, the DataTracker, which serves as a ‘group brain’ that stores all the information at all levels of the organization. The IETF also has a culture that nurtures deep listening and deliberative discernment. It has processes to access and channel group wisdom into action. We argue the IETF is regenerative and leverages its collective intelligence. Our research can offer insights to organizations and communities seeking to create better technology for the good of humanity.
The first part of our research explores the IETF as a living system based on our participation and observations mapped to the patterns from three different pattern languages. In this section we explore how Identity, Culture, Process, Governance, Tooling, and Knowledge all shape a deeper IETF Purpose.
The second part of the report thoroughly explores how the IETF is regenerative. We use the patterns from the pattern languages as lenses to understand how the organization works. We detail how these patterns appear within the IETF as it operates.
We explore
- How an organization that is totally open to participation from anyone in the world maintains its coherence and achieves effective results developing the protocols for data communications networks.
- How the Ritual and Flow of week-long meetings embody many Patterns from the Group Works Deck: A Pattern Language for Bringing Life to Meetings and Other Gatherings.
- How the organization distributes governance and embodies and expresses key patterns from the Wise Democracy Pattern Language.
- How the organization sustains Joyful Communal Labor within a Zone of Autonomy it has cultivated and maintained.
- How core patterns like a Willingness to Experiment and a Grounding in Running Code exist for both the technical protocols and the community leadership and governance protocols they create.
- What key patterns are present within Working Group meetings – the main meeting form within the IETF.
We conclude by sharing some of the limitations of this research and suggesting potential future explorations.
Here is a list of presentations we have given about the research:
- RASP-RG at IETF 120 July 2024 presenting that we were doing the research: video, slides
- Summer of Protocols Closing Seminar: video, slides
- Real World Co-Intelligence Call of the Co-Intelligence Institute : announcement, video, slides,
- Internet Identity Workshop #39: Slides
- RASP-RG at IETF 121 November 2024 presenting V1 of the report: video, (it was 4am for me when I gave the preso) slides
- Project Liberty Summit: event listing November 22nd, 2024.
- MetaGov Seminar: November 27th, 2024 video slides
- Global Regenerative Co-Lab: Regen & Governance: February 19th, 2025.