Updates to the "CAP Core Team"

[Nicolas Barry]

Hello

With Protocol 23 “Wisk” now launched on the main network, the SDF is shifting focus toward the next series of protocol updates.

As a reminder, the CAP process (described in https://github.com/stellar/stellar-protocol/tree/master/core#cap-process ) involves several steps.

Prior to validator votes on protocol changes, the CAP process outlines multiple rounds of review and discussion with the broader community. This structure enables the progression of ideas into solutions that may be adopted by validators. Some steps require feedback and/or votes from a group called the “CAP Core Team”.

The purpose of the “CAP Core Team” is to include individuals with an understanding of both technical limitations and community priorities and maximize the chances that protocol changes are ratified by the validator community.

Previously, this team consisted of Jed McCaleb, David Mazieres, and Nicolas Barry. This composition was suitable when the Foundation was smaller and the ecosystem less extensive; however, both SDF and the Stellar ecosystem have since expanded (last change to this process was 6 years ago!).

To better align with current objectives and improve quality of feedback, some adjustments are being proposed, starting with SDF’s representation: the updated group will be Tomer Weller (Chief Product Officer, has a broad view on the Stellar Ecosystem), Anup Pani (Senior Engineering Manager, will keep the group honest on what is possible within the confines of stellar-core) and Nicolas Barry (Chief Technical Officer, broad technical view).

Further discussions will address additional improvements to the CAP process to make it even more relevant to the ecosystem.

Nicolas

[David Mazieres]

"'Nicolas Barry' via Stellar Developers" <stell...@googlegroups.com>
writes:

> Previously, this team consisted of Jed McCaleb, David Mazieres, and Nicolas
> Barry. This composition was suitable when the Foundation was smaller and
> the ecosystem less extensive; however, both SDF and the Stellar ecosystem
> have since expanded (last change to this process was 6 years ago!).
>
> To better align with current objectives and improve quality of feedback,
> some adjustments are being proposed, starting with SDF’s representation:
> the updated group will be Tomer Weller (Chief Product Officer, has a broad
> view on the Stellar Ecosystem), Anup Pani (Senior Engineering Manager, will
> keep the group honest on what is possible within the confines of
> stellar-core) and Nicolas Barry (Chief Technical Officer, broad technical
> view).

I support this change.

David

[John]

What is the full scope of adjustments? I think the current team includes important principled viewpoints. Their decentralized values may not carry over to the updated group.

How about we include members of the community? There are plenty of proven builders with diverse interests at stake. Keeping them in the quorum supports network expansion from all angles.

I think it makes sense to go beyond. As we expand T1 validators, everyone can stay on the same page with a chance to filter improvements based on their needs. Priorities can include feedback from acting operators.

John

[Nicolas Barry]

Changes are just what I mentioned above: the goal for this iteration is more of a house keeping one for SDF where we saw the quality of feedback on CAPs from the old group degrade because people didn't have time to attend.

To your point, I do want to find a way to evolve the CAP process further but this will take a bit more time to find something that fits the needs of the ecosystem and document it. We're working on codifying better certain expectations around validator operators, so this should fit nicely into those conversations.

Nicolas