By Taylor Dolezal, Head of Ecosystem at CNCF
We are thrilled to introduce a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to the cloud native community: the formation of the CNCF End User Technical Advisory Board (TAB), to be launched in October 2023.
The End User TAB is a pioneering initiative designed to ensure that the needs and perspectives of end users are adequately and effectively represented in CNCF community decisions. This is part of our broader mission to drive the future of cloud native technologies in a direction that benefits all stakeholders.
Composed of representatives from End User members, the End User TAB will serve as a bridge between end users and the various CNCF governing bodies, including the Governing Board and the Technical Oversight Committee (TOC).
Scope of the End User TAB
Here are some of the key responsibilities that the End User TAB will undertake:
- Providing feedback and recommendations on the state of the ecosystem from an end user perspective.
- Reviewing, approving, and publishing reference architectures for cloud native technologies.
- Serving as a conduit for communication between the end user community and other CNCF governing bodies.
- Identifying gaps in CNCF projects and the cloud native ecosystem.
- Providing input to the TOC on project acceptance and graduation.
- Providing feedback to CNCF projects regarding the End User experience related to usability, reliability, and performance.
- Overseeing End User Groups, including approving the creation of new groups.
- Adding visibility to end user adopters of CNCF projects.
Initial End User TAB
The End User TAB will eventually consist of a combination of elected and appointed representatives of End User Member companies. However, for the first year of the End User TAB’s existence, we propose a different method for selecting the initial TAB representatives.
Because the End User TAB is a new body, developing and refining its operating procedures will require time. To ensure that the initial End User TAB consists of a diverse set of individuals who are highly engaged in our community and can help the TAB launch with a strong start, we propose that the initial End User TAB consist of individuals that CNCF has invited based on their level of engagement with the End User community and other relevant CNCF governing bodies (e.g., individuals who have chaired End User Groups or have current or prior experience serving on the TOC).
Proposed Roadmap and Timeline
| Date | Event |
| August 22, 2023 – September 7, 2023 | The proposed structure and draft charter for End User TAB shared with the Governing Board, TOC, and End User community for their feedback and comments |
| September 7-11, 2023 | CNCF will update the proposal and draft charter in response to your comments and submit it to the Governing Board for approval |
| September 14, 2023 | The Governing Board will vote on the proposed End User TAB structure and charter |
| October 2023 | Launch of initial End User TAB |
| Q4 2024 | End User TAB elections for the 2025 term |
Creating the End User TAB is a significant step toward a more inclusive and representative CNCF community. By incorporating diverse perspectives and experiences, we can ensure that the needs of all stakeholders are taken into account in our decision-making processes.
We’re incredibly excited about the potential of the End User TAB to enrich our community, and we’re looking forward to sharing more updates soon. As always, we’re grateful for your involvement in the CNCF community and eager to work together to shape the future of cloud native technologies.