Page 76 - Proceedings of the 2017 ITU Kaleidoscope

2017 ITU Kaleidoscope Academic Conference

guidance is added. In Beta stage, nodes continue 5. CONCLUSIONS: STRENGTHS AND WEAK-
transacting guidance but none of the transactions includes NESSES OF BLOCKCHAINED STANDARDS
an implementation yet therefore the block remains open.
Later, in Gamma stage, one of the innovator nodes (i³) We have outlined a model for standards development using
brings an implementation in. This creates the block and blockchain. As way to conclude this research piece, the
closes transactions for that specific piece of guidance,
which will be included in the blockchain forming advantages and inconveniencies of using blockchain
standard. The innovator node that mined the technology for standards development are presented in turn,
implementation closing the block will be awarded an by means of a comparison exercise between standards
amount of KHnow. Further implementations for that developed with and without blockchain:
particular piece of guidance or a new one can be added
and will create new blocks, which will also be --Automation: by using blockchain, the process of standards
remunerated with KHnow. (Source: Author`s elaboration) drafting becomes fully automated and less time consuming
compared to current practices, what allows releasing
Some authors argue that blockchain use is not democratic standards to the market sooner.
since it is only accessible to a small techy elite [20]. This is --Transparency: the immutability of records plus the
partly true if we focus on cryptocurrencies and on standard becoming a replicated ledger mean that
blockchain software development. But the smart contracts standardization consensus rules and the overall process are
functionality enabled by programmable blockchains -such fully disclosed. In traditional standards drafting there are
as Ethereum- eliminates that barrier as it allows for self- parts of the process that remain undisclosed and non-
execution, meaning that blockchains can be used to store accessible to participants.
executable binding code that can be triggered by a simple
user’s mouse click. --Contents’ collective awareness: having the standard
In our standards reimagination, smart contracts will help decentralized in multiple replicated ledgers ensures not to
gain critical mass in the adoption of the standard once it is lose focus in the scope of the standard.
published and released to the market: instead of having the --Real time progress: blockchain allows for the
standard presented as some sixty pages report like today, it visualization of changes as a result of approved transactions
will be turned into an executable tool upon which the users in an average time elapse of 10-15 seconds. Work-in-
will input their own performance data and therefore be self- progress updates can take months under current procedures.
assessed in meeting the standard. In other words,
blockchain-enabled standards will empower the user with --Decentralized governance: the standard is not governed
compliance capabilities to adopt a self-conformity role. This by a single authority (Secretariat) but by the network (EC
eliminates the need for a third-party certification participants)
organization. --Distributed ownership: compilation and consolidation
The use of blockchain in standards development and work of the standard are no longer a solo responsibility of
drafting will result in fully tested standards, elaborated in an the Rapporteur but of the network (EC participants)
ecosystem of stakeholders which will include innovators
amongst whom there will be fundraisers that will ensure the --Weighted vote: blockchain takes elements of Agent
kick-off of the standard as well as its maintenance over time technology such as trust and reputation. Consensus rules for
through regular updates brought by new use cases. these can be created by the Secretariat to weight
Lastly, in author’s opinion, standards development would participants’ votes to approve transactions according to
benefit from a more architectural construction such as the specific strategies and interests for each standard.
3C Meta-standard [21]. In the 3C Meta-standard, the key -- Larger turnout participation: since blockchain allows for
words and key terms that will configure the standard are a total digitalization of the process, f2f meetings become
distributed in a framework architecture that is presented to optional which is an advantage to get in stakeholders who
the user as a single matrix. The standard, as today’s report, were not participating due to time or travel constraints.
disappears and is substituted by a very intuitive grid of cells
each containing a piece of guidance. The different 3C Meta- --No stakeholder left behind: digitalized consensus of the
standard use cases have proven that the more visual standardization process will have a positive impact in
representation of the standard in a framework architecture enlarging participation numbers which will turn the standard
improves users’ adoption. into a more complete and representative instrument.
The addition of blockchain functionalities to the 3C Meta- --Meetings can focus on discussions: since the bureaucracy
standard architecture would not only bring the well-known of approving changes and updates can be fully transferred
blockchain’s capabilities of data integrity and immutable and ran on the blockchain, f2f meetings –if any- can be
recordkeeping [22] but facilitate experts’ participation since released from these administrative tasks and focus on an
these could be distributed in specialized groups, each taking expert discussion to better inform the standard.
responsibility of thematic blocks (related key words in the --More practical and user-friendly standards: the fact that
matrix cells) which will be integrating the blockchain as the community developing the standard, the EC network,
long as implementations are being transacted. operates virtually allows for the addition of use cases and
examples as soon as they become available. The inclusion

– 60 –