Michael Nahas [off-list ref] writes:
It obviously isn't the design-first-then-find-a-willing-programmer of
the project I ran. I don't know if it's the IETF's "running code and
a general consensus".
These two are not necessarily incompatible.
A proposed new feature needs to be explained well, describing in what
situation it will help what kind of users and without hurting others and
why it is a worthy addition.
We require a general consensus that any proposed change is a worthy
addition, and a working code is often a good addition to help us reaching
one, because people can guess what is being proposed even when the idea is
presented poorly. A poorly presented idea without working code often fares
no better than just a handwaving with crazy talk, as you fail to make
others realize what you are trying to achieve.
But working code is not a requirement to present good ideas. It just helps
to add clarity to it.