Session Date/Time: 09 Nov 2023 16:00

rtgarea

Summary

The Routing Area meeting covered several key topics, including updates from Area Directors, a report on the Routing Area Director (RAD) function, and a discussion about agenda item inclusion criteria for working group meetings. Sue Harris presented insights from her PhD dissertation on leadership in standards organizations and the IESG.

Key Discussion Points

Area Director Updates: Area Directors welcomed a new LSR co-chair (Jing Jin Koo) and an interim MPLS chair (Adrian Farrell). They emphasized the smooth operation of working groups in the area.
Routing Area Director (RAD) Update: RAD co-chair Daniel Enriquez provided a report on document reviews, reviewer assignments, and upcoming process improvements. Key areas of focus: Improving turnaround time for reviews, and streamlining the accept/reject process for reviewers.
Working Group Agenda Item Inclusion Criteria: Discussion centered on a proposal to require mailing list discussion prior to a draft appearing on a working group agenda. The goals are to ensure more participants have read and considered documents before in-person discussions and to improve efficiency in the limited face-to-face time. A number of exceptions were discussed.
Author List Length: A lengthy discussion occurred regarding author lists on drafts. Suggestions included removing the existing limit, and having a tracked history of who contributed text to documents. Concerns were raised about motivations for adding authors (bonuses, corporate support vs. actual contribution) and related impacts to credibility.
Sue Harris Presentation: Sue Harris presented research on effective IESG leadership and dynamics, sharing insights on data-driven measures, the importance of solidarity, and the need for ADs to act as good managers and inspiring leaders.

Decisions and Action Items

RAD Process Improvement: Daniel Enriquez to follow up with reviewers to ensure timely acknowledgment (accept/reject) of document review assignments. If no response within 7 days, the document will be reassigned.
WG Agenda Item Inclusion Guidelines: The Area Directors will refine the proposal for working group agenda item inclusion criteria based on the discussion, with the understanding that it should be a guideline and not a strict rule. They will engage with working group chairs in a follow-up discussion. Some changes to the wording of the guidelines should be considered around items such as 'new drafts' and external presentations.
Action Items regarding author list length: ADs to consider and follow up on all feedback and suggestions.
Tooling: Check for better data tracker tooling to notify users via email of new LSR drafts

Next Steps

Area Directors to schedule a working group chairs chat to further discuss the agenda item inclusion proposal.
Area Directors to discuss data tracker updates for tracking LSR drafts.
Area Directors to discuss any potential updates to the draft author guidelines.