Just read a little on Corallo's draft BIP: https://github.com/TheBlueMatt/bips/blob/betterhash/bip-XXXX.mediawiki that seeks to separate pool payout info channel from work info channel.

Summary of main motivation:
- more diverse block templates with miners allowed to construct their own - less risk of pool restricting protocol upgrades

Stratum is "difficult to implement and poorly documented" - you guys agree?