Team Practices Group/Planning offsites

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; 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
 * Meeting room(s) of appropriate size
 * Internet access (both at venue and lodging), including potential port filtering
 * Do you need whiteboards, A/V equipment, walls to stick things on?

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