WMF product development process/Communities

Stages of the process

Understand
 
 * 1) The investigation to define a problem is documented in public
 * 2) Relevant stakeholders have been invited to participate in the discussion
 * 3) * If there is prior discussion, it has been reviewed
 * 4) * Discussion is facilitated/mediated as needed
 * Participate in the determinization of results
 * 1) Impact on user workflow has been researched
 * 2) * These results have been discussed with those it would impact

Concept
 
 * 1) This solution has been presented for discussion
 * 2) * This solution takes into account its shortcomings and explains them
 * 3) * This solution takes into account its benefits and explains them

Plan

 * 1) Initial roadmap is determined, published, and communicated
 * 2) Have a rollback/revert plan - as simple as "We are willing to"

Develop

 * 1) The product accounts for community moderation tools (+sysop, oversight, checkuser, abuse filter, etc.)
 * 2) Wireframes and/or prototypes have been communicated
 * 3) Bugs identified as blockers before by CLs and/or communities are discussed and fixed
 * 4) Performance and quality notes are taken and communicated
 * 5) Translators are contacted about system messages

Release

 * 1) Concept and resulting product are reviewed for completeness
 * 2) * This review is documented
 * 3) * Including translations
 * 4) Each stage of release has a feedback loop (alpha, beta, production)
 * 5) Determine order of release (which wikis on which dates)

Maintain

 * 1) Document clear ownership of maintenance, even if that means documenting something is unmaintained/abandoned