During the 1980s, Internet developments were implemented for the promotion of the Internet and Internet standards. IAB was established to manage oversight of the following responsibilities:

• Manage and publish Request for Comments (RFC)
• Oversee the Internet standard process
• Oversee the IETF

Eventually, IAB responsibilities developed as follows:

• Architectural Supervision: Responsible for overseeing different network and Internet Protocol (IP) architectural standards.
• Appeals and Standards Process Supervision: The appeal board was established to review standard issues and related appeals.
• Advice for Internet Societies: Provides guidance to ISOC officials.

Although IAB arranges groups for developing technical principles and ideas, it generally does not build comprehensive implementation plans. IAB's main objective is to help the IETF improve Internet standardization. The IAB is rarely associated with policy decisions and usually does not address the Internet's operational or commercial elements.