Sheepdog Is Shepherd
... the first submissions have been posted to the conference site and shepherds are splitting up the flock.
* * *It is difficult to match the technical expertise of the a-priori shepherding pool to the technical needs represented by the works in progress. The field of software is broad, and of software patterns even more broad, and the technical coverage of the small and dwindling shepherding pool is sparse.
The shepherd could ask for help from a technical expert, a "sheepdog" who would assist the shepherd in technical guidance of the paper. If a shepherd were to adopt a paper for shepherding without having the perfunctory technical grounding, then one presumes that they already have in mind the notion of bringing on a helper. Doing anything else would be irresponsible, and we presume that our shepherds exhibit a high enough degree of responsibility to make this choice. But to "ask for help" from a third party creates a three-legged sack race. It is hard enough to hand the logistics of effective shepherding with two people, let alone three. In spite of best intents, such efforts become cumbersome. At best, the sheepdog usually becomes a weakly engaged consultant without investment in either the work, the idea, or the author.
Therefore: '''Shepherds should take on only those papers that they feel they can handle solo.''' If the shepherd believes that he or she cannot handle the paper but has a sheepdog in mind, the shepherd might recommend that the sheepdog handle it.
* * *One could argue that the shepherd's helper might not have enough pattern expertise to be the sheepdog. However, if this were the case, then they probably should not have been considered for selection as a sheepdog in the first place.
This pattern helps grow the shepherd pool by turning sheepdogs into sheep. It can be a powerful way to bring new shepherds into the process from the technical and academic communities. On their first round of shepherding, their work can be overseen by the Program Committee Member, who acts as a mentor. Such mentorship is a long-term investment in the community.
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