NFT-DAO DECISION-MAKING PATHWAY

[tttroyyy]

NFT-DAO DECISION-MAKING PATHWAY

@tttroyyy | TUESDAY JUNE 1 2021

TIER 1 DECISIONS: INFORMAL (SPOT-VOTING)

INDIVIDUAL DECISION-MAKING PROTOCOL

Decisions for which an individual (rather than a group) is identified by the community, group or other individuals (herein known as “Other Parties”) as holding the responsibility for making the decision, implies that that individual is able to be held accountable for that decision if they (or a delegated party) acts in accordance with that decision. No consensus is required for individual decision-making, unless a) that individual is acting on behalf of Other Parties and consensus is an explicit requirement of the Other Parties, and b) where that decision could adversely impact Other Parties, in which case consultation with the Other Parties is required.

GROUP DECISION-MAKING PROTOCOL

Decisions for which a group (rather than an individual) is identified by the community, group or other individuals as holding the responsibility for making the decision, implies that that group is able to be held accountable for that decision if they (or a delegated party) acts in accordance with that decision. In this case, group consensus is required for group decision-making, unless a) an individual or delegated party has decision-making autonomy delegated to them, b) where consensus is not an explicit or formal requirement of the group, or c) where that decision is judged as not adversely impacting the community, group or other individuals.

GROUP DECISION-MAKING PROCESS: PROPOSAL TEMPLATE

Based on Project Catalyst’s proposal generation process, a proposal template can be used to clarify problems and solutions for questions raised, and the underlying objective for the proposal. Once the proposal is drafted, it can be raised amongst groups and a spot-vote can be tallied to identify majority votes.

GROUP DECISION-MAKING PROCESS: SPOT-VOTING

Spot-Votes can be an effective way to reach group consensus for lower tier decisions which have less impact on stakeholders and enough significance or complexity to require key parties to be on the same page. This process can be employed immediately.

It is proposed that Informal Group Decisions are made through:

1. A Spot Voting process where a recorder volunteers to record group votes;
2. The recorder states the question or proposal being raised verbally or in writing, and then states the following three declarations: “YES”, “NO” and “ABSTAIN”;
3. Votes are delivered by voters as follows:

• YES = Raised hand, thumbs up, verbal or written “yes” or “yay”
• NO = Raised hand, thumbs down, verbal or written “no” or “nay”
• ABSTAIN = Raised hand, palm facing down, verbal or written “abstain”

4. The recorder provides enough time for voter responses, clarifications and tallies the votes;

If successful, tasks and key people will then be actioned as outlined in the Proposal Template.

TIER 2 DECISIONS: SEMI-FORMAL (SPOT-POLLING)

Tier 2 Decisions will employ a proposal template (such as in Tier 1) but will deliver Spot Polls for larger groups. This process can be employed immediately.

GROUP DECISION-MAKING PROCESS: SPOT-POLLING

Spot-Polls can be an effective way to reach group consensus for medium tier decisions which have moderate impact on stakeholders and enough significance or complexity to require more key parties to be on the same page.
It is proposed that Semi-formal Group Decisions are made through:

1. A Spot Polling process where a poll-maker may draft a poll for themselves or on another’s behalf using an agreed upon polling platform;
2. The poll questions are drafted from the Governance proposal template;
3. The poll is delivered to the consensus pool through an agreed upon delivery method and response timeframe. (A poll draft may also be delivered for consultation if required by stakeholders, during an agreed upon timeframe);
4. Poll results are then tallied by the poll-maker (or a delegate); and
5. The results published to the consensus pool, and anywhere else should the pool so decide (or for the purposes of transparency).

If successful, tasks and key people will then be actioned as outlined in the Proposal Template.

TIER 3 DECISIONS: FORMAL (DAO SPECIAL VOTING)

Tier 3 Decisions will employ a proposal template (such as in Tiers 1 & 2) but will involve a voting mechanism to engage larger groups in a more fully automated process. This process will require a developed DAO framework and voting mechanic to be employed.

GROUP DECISION-MAKING PROCESS: DAO SPECIAL VOTING

Special Votes can be an effective way to reach group consensus for high tier decisions which have major impact on stakeholders and enough significance or complexity to require all key parties to be on the same page. Special Voting will be available as a special utility-case to holders as seen here: #20

It is proposed that Formal Group Decisions are made through:

1. A Special Voting process where a poll-maker may create a poll for themselves or on another’s behalf using an agreed upon voting platform;
2. The poll questions are drafted from the Governance proposal template;
3. The poll is delivered to the consensus pool (in this case the DAO) through an agreed upon delivery method and response timeframe. (A poll draft may also be delivered for consultation if required by stakeholders, during an agreed upon timeframe);
4. Votes are then tallied by the poll-maker (or a delegate); and
5. The results published to the consensus pool (the DAO), and anywhere else for the purposes of transparency.

If successful, tasks and key people will then be actioned as outlined in the Proposal Template.

In the case of machine consensus development for the DAO, further research and expertise is required to explore a) writing smart contracts, b) establishing smart contract parameters (i.e., timeframes, stakeholders, financials, legal), c) executing of smart contracts; d) contingencies in case smart contracts do not execute or malicious attacks are suspected, e) Roles or task implementation via smart contract.

CONSIDERATIONS

• Clearer criteria may be needed to triage what constitute Tier 1, 2, and 3 decisions;
• Clearer criteria may be needed to determine consensus parameters (i.e., how many members occupy a consensus pool – per individual, holon/group, community/DAO)
• What are the inclusion/exclusion criteria’s to join these groups and vote?
• For majority voting, what will be done in the case of split decisions?
• What constitutes a quorum size?
• What happens in the case of disagreement or dispute?