Technical decision making/FAQs

Frequently asked questions about the Wikimedia technical decision making process

What does the Technical Decision Forum do?
The Technical Decision Forum collaborates with and assists teams in determining stakeholders for decisions that affect more than one Wikimedia team and getting feedback to inform the possible solutions to solve the problem presented. There are three key parts of the technical decision making process that achieve this:
 * Problem statement: Helps teams define and scope the problem
 * Technical Decision Forum feedback: Representatives from every Wikimedia Foundation team are asked to comment and provide feedback on each problem statement. The expectation is that the representative will share the information with their team and provide the collective feedback from their team.
 * RACI matrix: The feedback from the Technical Decision Forum directly informs the RACI for the problem presented and the possible solutions to be considered.

Who makes the decisions on the proposals?
The team who owns the problem presented in the problem statement. The Technical Decision Forum does not make any decisions on the solutions to the problem.

How do teams get assigned to work on the proposals?
Teams should bring the output of the Technical Decision Forum feedback, decision record, and RACI, to the Platform Product Steering Committee to be sourced and prioritized.

How can I provide feedback as an individual about a decision that has already been made?
Attend the Technical Decision Forum office hours or contact the Technical Decision Forum directly at [Mailto:tech-decision-forum-support@wikimedia.org tech-decision-forum-support@wikimedia.org]. We will help direct you to the best route for feedback on a decision made.

How do I provide feedback on the proposals brought to the Technical Decision Forum?
You can provide feedback through the Technical Decision Forum representative for your team or contact the Technical Decision Forum directly at [Mailto:tech-decision-forum-support@wikimedia.org tech-decision-forum-support@wikimedia.org].

How can I provide feedback on the overall process?
The Technical Decision Forum will send out quarterly surveys to receive feedback on the process. You may also contact them anytime at [Mailto:tech-decision-forum-support@wikimedia.org tech-decision-forum-support@wikimedia.org].

When are the Technical Decision Forum office hours and what is their purpose?
Office Hours are every two weeks by appointment from 12:00pm-1:00pm Eastern Time (17:00-18:00 UTC). Appointments are available on the Wikimedia Foundation staff calendar every other Tuesday for 30 minutes each. Office hours are open to anyone who has questions about a decision or about the process. To schedule an appointment, use the Google calendar page or contact us at [mailto:tech-decision-forum-support@wikimedia.org tech-decision-forum-support@wikimedia.org].