[python-committers] Reminder of BDFL succession timeline + CFP

[Mariatta Wijaya]

Thanks all for voicing your concerns and all the feedback.
So far I hear people opposing the strict deadline because they're afraid it
means we'll be making rush decisions for the sake of meeting deadlines.

Well here are my reasonings of why I'm setting deadlines and timelines:

We all know it, discussions in mailing list can go on forever. And now that
we don't have a BDFL who will shut down and end discussions, these things
can really go literally forever. Therefore we should timebox these
discussions.

I believe that none of us actually want Python without governance and
without decision forever. The Python community is waiting for core
developers to come together and figure out Guido's successor.

For myself, January 1, 2019 is reasonable deadline, it will be 6 months
since Guido announced his permanent vacation.

In separate thread, it seems that we're in agreement that Oct 1, 2018 for
deadline to come up with proposals of governance model.

So then, what needs to happen between Oct 1 to Jan 1? (3 months period?) How
do we go from "here are the proposed governance model" into "we have
selected the successor(s)"?
Clearly, if we want to have decision by Jan 1, people can't still be
arguing about governance model on Dec 31st. If we're going to vote on
things, people need to know when they need to show up to vote. We probably
need someone to volunteer and set up the voting system, or get in touch
with The PSF for setting it up, and maybe account for flexibilities in case
there are last minute technical difficulties and so on. All of these
require coordination and concerted effort.

>From there, I've started breaking down the different phases of how this
will go, and also allowing ample time for people to catch up and read their
emails. For example, in my timeline, I suggested 2 weeks time of voting in
each round. In reality, voting is probably just going to take a few clicks
on a website, not 2 full weeks.

I'm just drawing from my own personal experience of having organize and
coordinate a group of volunteers. What I've learned is that the group will
be more successful when each volunteers know their roles, responsibilities,
the goal of the group, and in a lot of cases, they need to know when they
should deliver and complete their task.

Python core devs are all volunteers, living in different timezones, in
different part of the world, and we all have other commitments to our
employer and family. But right now we all have responsibilities to come up
with a plan of succession for this community. It was the last task Guido
gave to us before retiring as BDFL.

These timelines are not meant for you to rush and make decision last minute
just because there is a deadline.
On contrary, I hope that by knowing these timelines ahead of time, you all
can account for these dates, you can be responsible, and if needed, adjust
and plan ahead your volunteering schedule surrounding these dates.

If you are proposing a governance model, and someone else here have
questions about it, it will be appreciated if you can respond in timely
manner, and not wait 4 months before you respond.

Similarly, if you have question and concern or just want to argue about a
proposed governance model, you should do it sooner, within these timeboxed
periods, and not wait until 2020, and don't wait until last minute either.
You'll need to give time for the proposer to respond to you. (again we all
live in different timezones).

I'm also guessing that not everyone here is planning to come up with 100
different proposals, and not everyone here wants to argue at all. Perhaps
some of you are just waiting for the ballot to arrive in the email?
There is value in knowing in advance of when you need to vote, so you can
plan on watching their mailbox, or alert us if they didn't receive the
ballot.

I hope by knowing these timelines people can be more considerate with each
other, and that they'll be able to express their thoughts more effectively
in emails.

Without clear deadlines, sure there is less pressure of not rushing into
making decisions, but it also allows for discussions to stall forever.
I also don't want people to come up with yet a new proposal every other
week.

So I still would like us to have clear deadlines and timebox this whole
succession process.

"clear" does not need to be "strict". What I will try to do is to post
reminders here, a week before the expected "deadline" and ask if people
need extensions, and we'll extend the dates accordingly. (similar to what
Python release managers normally do).
But maybe the extension will be for only another one week or two, not
forever.
What do people think about this?

It seems like several people (Barry, Brett, Steven) and myself are ok with
January 1, 2019 as the a deadline of choosing the successor.
For those opposing the deadlines, do you have a different date in mind?

Here are my proposed timeboxes again, adjusted to AoE timezone, and
including Barry's guidance of using PEP 8k+ number.
For each of the dates below, we will allow +1-2 weeks of flexibility.

*Oct 1 AoE (2 months from now):* Deadline of coming up with proposals of
governance model.

To be included in the proposal at the minimum:
- explanation and reasoning of the governance model
- expected roles and responsibilities
- candidate for the role need not be included at this time, since we're
only choosing the governance model. Depending on the governance model
chosen, we might have different people to be nominated. There will be a
separate process for nominating the candidate.
- the term of governance: is it for life? 5 years? 10 years?

Who can submit the proposal?
Python core developers. Individual core devs can submit a proposal, or
co-author the proposal with another core dev.

How to submit the proposal?
Proposal should be in a form of a PEP, numbered 8K+, and merged into peps
repo by Oct 1 AoE. Proposals not merged after Oct 1 AoE will not be
considered.

*Oct 1 - Nov 15: Review period. (6 weeks)*
All core developers will review the PEPs, and ask any questions to the PEP
author. This timeline allows for enough time for all core devs to carefully
review each PEPs, and for authors to respond.

In addition, if there is any governance PEP that comes before Oct 1
deadline, you can definitely start reviewing and discussing those. Oct 1
(+1-2 weeks) is just the cutoff for coming up with new proposals.

There will be two parts of this:

*Review phase 1: Oct 1- Nov 1 (1 month):* Allow changes and tweaks to the
proposed PEPs.
This is the period where people can ask questions or argue about the
proposed PEPs.  Again, these dates are meant so you know when you need to
start reading these PEPs, ask and answer questions in timely manner, and
request one week extension if needed.

*Review phase 2: Nov 1 - Nov 15 (2 weeks)*: No more changes to the above
PEPs.
No more discussions. This is what I consider the "cool off" period.
Questions and concerns were meant to be addressed in the previous phase.
This is the final chance to carefully review all governance PEPs, and
formulate your decisions.

*Nov 15 AoE: Voting for new governance model starts, and will go for 2
weeks*
Send reminders for folks to vote.

Who can vote:
Only core developers can vote.

*Vote will be anonymous.*
*We will use the system used to elect PSF board members.*


*Dec 1 AoE: Voting ended*.
The most voted proposal will be accepted.
Depending on the chosen governance model, we'll begin nominating candidates
to fill the role(s).

*Dec 10 AoE Deadline for nominating candidates to fill the role*
Maybe just one PEP to list all the nominations, instead of separate PEPs of
each candidates.

Who can nominate: Python core developers
Who can be nominated: Python core developers

*Dec 15 AoE Voting for new successor starts*
(Depends on the governance model chosen on Dec 1)

*Who can vote:*
*Only core developers can vote.*

*Vote will be anonymous.*
*We will use the system used to elect PSF board members.*

*Jan 1 AoE Voting for new successor ends.* Most voted candidate(s) is
chosen.


Mariatta
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