Organization of IETF Process Documents

Status of This Memo

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

The IETF has a large number of documents (mainly RFCs) devoted to its standard process, its rules and procedures in general, and how it does its work. Some of these are BCPs, some of them are Informational RFCs, with occasional Experimental RFCs. In addition there are IESG Statements for specific topics, summaries of processes and procedures on the IETF web site, presentations made at IETF meetings or in educational material, snippets in email archives, unwritten rules, and external information such as this.¶

At a rough estimate, to have a complete understanding of IETF processes and procedures, a person would need to consult about 65 BCPs and RFCs -- there is an out of date list. There are also at least 30 relevant IESG statements.¶

This situation is clearly problematic: obviously it is a stumbling block for newcomers, and even for people with years of IETF participation it can be a source of confusion, mistakes, and wasted time.¶

This draft suggests that at the very least, the IETF needs an organizing principle for its process and procedural documents.¶

Beyond that it seems desirable to start a project, which would take many years to complete, of consolidating documents (where that is feasible) and ensuring that they fit together into a common framework that will help newcomers and experienced participants alike.¶

[I-D.rsalz-2026bis] and [I-D.rsalz-2418bis] are good examples of such consolidation. This document suggests an outline of a framework within which such consolidated documents could exist.¶

It is not expected that this draft will become an RFC.¶

2. Framework

The following list of topics is only a suggestion. The idea is that process documents would be organized to fit into one of these topics, with as little overlap as possible.¶

• Workflow in the IETF¶

• Bodies involved in the process¶

• Document types¶

• Standards track documents¶

• Review and approval process¶

• Intellectual Property Rights¶

• Conduct of participants¶

• Publication process (RFC Editor)¶

• Parameter registration process (IANA)¶

• Meetings¶

• Administration and support¶

• Process for modifying process and procedures¶

3. IANA Considerations

No IANA actions are needed.¶

4. Security Considerations

This document does not directly affect the security of the Internet.¶

5. Acknowledgements

Useful comments were received from ...¶

6. Informative References

[I-D.rsalz-2026bis]

Salz, R. and S. O. Bradner, "The Internet Standards Process", Work in Progress, Internet-Draft, draft-rsalz-2026bis-10, 5 September 2024, <https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-rsalz-2026bis-10>.

[I-D.rsalz-2418bis]

Salz, R. and S. O. Bradner, "IETF Working Group Guidelines and Procedures", Work in Progress, Internet-Draft, draft-rsalz-2418bis-05, 9 September 2024, <https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/html/draft-rsalz-2418bis-05>.

Appendix A. Change Log [RFC Editor: please remove]

Author's Address