New project process/bg added to category
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Previous pages to merge into this one:
* [[New project policy]]
* [[Proposal protocol]] (which also considers non-sisterproject proposals)
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The '''new project process''' is a guideline for proposing new sister projects. This includes reviewing, categorizing, editing, merging, approving and closing proposals. This draft is a combination of past ideas. The process shall be facilitated by a [[sister projects committee]] (SPCom).
Any user can make a proposal for a new project – either starting an '''entirely new wikimedia project''' or
adopting an '''existing non-wikimedia project''' as a Wikimedia sister project.
Anyone not affiliated with a proposal may close a discussion considered disruptive, pending review.
If an SPCom member considers that a proposal has no reasonable possibility of a positive decision, a proposal may be closed immediately. This may be reverted by any editor who finds value in the proposal.
== Proposing a new sister project ==
* See the [[/Handbook for requesters|Handbook for new project requesters]] if you want to propose a new project.
*: ''A template for such proposals is being developed at [[Template:New sister project proposal]]''
* A proposal is open for at least '''''30''''' days for comments and questions from the community and committee members. This is not a vote; arguments presented are judged by the committee.
* SPCom decides within 1–2 weeks if the proposed project could be a viable Wikimedia project<ref name="viability">This needs to be developed further, but including: compatible with general principles (freely licenced, spreading free knowledge, BLP rules), [[:wmf:Vision|Vision]] & [[:wmf:Mission|Mission]] statement</ref>. If appropriate, SPCom will give specific recommendations for improvement, or suggestions for where else the project might find hosting/support.
* If the outcome of the initial discussion is positive, and attracted possible contributors, an "official" trial/demo version may be opened on Wikimedia Incubator (unless an external demo exists; or if there are special technical requirements that could more easily be realized on a test wiki outside of Incubator). It might help to draft a roadmap or project plan. See for instance the [[:c:Commons:Project_plan|Wikimedia Commons project plan]].
* The success of an incubated demo will be assessed after at most one year—either recommending its approval as a new project, suggesting targets it should meet in order to be recommended, or recommending it be closed or moved.
----
''The following repeats a lot of aspects already mentioned above and should be removed or integrated, as appropriate''
; Possible criteria for a successful demo
* 10 interested participants / supporters
* set up in an incubator, with core pages drafted: main page, a dozen sample policy and content pages (incl. initial policies)
* roadmap (for the first 6–12 months), project plan
* proposal noting how this is in line with our mission, what its full scope is, who early audiences are / where outreach should happen.
* demo is active for many months straight.
; Review, communication on status of proposals
* If there are tech needs: review if features are really needed, how things could be done (get in touch with devs)
* Updates on the proposal talk page. Inform various language communities (via mailing lists, village pumps? int'l pumps on meta/commons? on the largest existing wmwiki in that language?)
* If a project is reviewed and found lacking, reasons should be given. It can update its proposal and resubmit it later for further peer review, or continue as an independent project.
; Closing dormant or unworkable proposals
* Proposals which are judged to be incompatible or unworkable, and not simply incomplete or 'not ready yet', may be merged with other proposals or closed.
* Proposals that have had no activity for over 6 months may be marked as historical; if they alter become active, they should go back to past supporters and see if they are still interested in contributing.
; After recognition
* Keep developing the incubator demo until the new project is created—and continue outreach to initial editors and additional language-communities.
* Ensure any domain names are owned by the WMF.
* Devs create the new project and New wikis importers seed it with the incubated content.
* Update the lists and tables on [[Complete list of Wikimedia projects]] and [[Wikimedia projects]].
* Advertise it on the mailing lists, and ask to have it added (or add it yourself) to main pages of relevant projects.
== Adopting an existing project into Wikimedia ==
* A '''Template''' for such proposals is needed
* A proposal is then open for at least '''''30''''' days for comments and questions from the community of Wikimedia projects and the community of the affected existing non-WMF project and committee members. Everyone is welcome to comment on the proposal and encouraged to discuss whether (and in which way) it is a good idea to integrate the project. This is not a vote, and will be assessed by the committee on its merits and chances of flourishing.
* If the community from the existing non-WMF project makes clear that they don't want to become a WMF project, such a proposal will be outright rejected.
* Within 1–2 weeks the committee decides if the proposed project could be a viable Wikimedia project<ref name="viability"/>. If appropriate, SPCom will give specific recommendations for improvement, or suggestions for where else the project might find hosting/support.
* < more discussions, consideration, etc., see the general considerations below ... >
* If SPCom thinks a proposal to make a non-WMF wiki a WMF project should be accepted, a recommendation to that effect goes to the Board of Trustees, which has the final say.
;General considerations
* Does the proposal fit into one of the existing projects?
* Would there be side-effects on existing projects?
* All process stages should be public.
* Community comments are welcome at all times.
* SPCom can make other recommendations apart from those specifically mentioned here.
* The committee should help in the implementation of its recommendations as far as possible.
== Further reading ==
; Current lists of project proposals
{| width="100%"
|width="48%" valign="top"|
* [[Proposals for new projects]]
* [[Talk:Proposals for new projects]]
* [[:Category:Proposed projects]]
* [[:Category:Wikipedia proposals]]
|width="4%"|
|width="48%" valign="top"|
* [[strategy:Category:Proposals for new projects]]
* [[mw:Summer_of_Code|Summer of Code]] software project ideas
* A few more at [[strategy:Proposals]]
|}
[[Category:Proposed projects| *]]
[[Category:Sister projects committee]]
; References
<references/>