Team Practices Group/Planning offsites

How to use this page
An offsite typically requires planning and execution by multiple people. Early on, it's helpful to clearly identify who will be responsible for which aspects. Then, if you are someone responsible for some aspect of an offsite, you can focus on the sections that are relevant to you.

Over time, as this page grows, it is likely to be split into multiple pages. Some major sections might become their own sub-page, and some of the bullet points will almost certainly become pages of their own, full of details. Whenever possible, we should link to existing information, rather than duplicating it here.

After every offsite, any new lessons learned should be added here, so future offsites can benefit.

Why?

 * What is the primary purpose/goal of this offsite? What are secondary goals?
 * Examples: Integrating new team members; launching a new initiative; planning for the next year/quarter; gaining shared understanding of the team vision, mission, roadmap, etc.; resolve simmering issues; face-time for remotees; stepping away from the work environment to gain perspective; general "teamy-ness".

When?

 * Avoid conflicts with other Wikimedia events (Wikimania, All-hands)
 * Avoid major holidays
 * Try to avoid the end of the quarter (late-March, late-June, late-September, late-December)
 * (If the location is set) Check for conflicts with major events in that area at that time (e.g. The Olympics)
 * How long should the event be? Should it consist of fully-structured days, or half-structured/half-unstructured?

Where (in the world)?

 * Consider cost and time (including connections) for all participants
 * Consider time zone differences for all participants
 * Cell phone coverage (especially data)
 * (If the dates are set) Check for conflicts with major events in that area at that time (e.g. The Olympics)

Where (in that city)?

 * Convenient access between lodging and the meeting facility
 * Easy ground transportation between the airport and the facilities
 * Internet access (both at venue and lodging), including potential port filtering
 * Meeting venue(s)
 * Meeting room(s) of appropriate size
 * Do you need whiteboards, A/V equipment, walls to stick things on?
 * Keeping the same room(s) for the whole events has logistical advantages
 * Can stick things to the wall and come back to them
 * Psychological comfort
 * Avoids needing to set up a new space, confirm whiteboards and A/V, move materials between rooms
 * Lodging

Who?

 * Who will be responsible for logistics (venue, supplies, transportation)?
 * Who will be responsible for planning the content (goals, session formats)?
 * Who will be responsible for facilitating the sessions? Note-taking?
 * Who from the team should be invited?
 * Should anyone outside the team be invited?
 * Should local Wikimedians (who aren't directly relevant) be invited to some sessions, since the travel cost will be minimal?

Getting ready
See Workshop Planning