White paper process

[Bob Thomas <bob.thomas@tagsmiths.com>]

I feel that it would be useful to establish a process for creating white papers. This would provide guidance for those who have not written white papers for the Adoption TC, and it would serve as a checklist for those who have.

Here is a strawman proposal for a process:

1. Identify a need. This need should determine scope.

2. Find an author

3. Identify subject matter experts. The Adoption TC should participate in this. 

4. Write the content. This phase may involve interaction with subject matter experts.

5. Produce a draft

   1. One week prior to draft, send a request for reviewers to the DITA Adoption list and the DITA TC list

   2. Put together a list of reviewers. This list should include all who responded to the request for reviewers plus all subject matter experts.

   3. The list of reviewers shall be included in the draft next to the revision change history

   4. Invite reviewers to identify others who ought to review the draft emphasizing that such feedback should go the author immediately

6. Incorporate comments. Authors are strongly encouraged to let reviewers know the rationale when they opt not to accept a significant comment.

7. Produce a preliminary. The distribution of this preliminary should include the DITA Adoption list. If extensive comments were incorporated from other reviewers, then the preliminary should be distributed to all of the reviewers.

8. Vote to publish

9. Publish the final

Best Regards,

--

Bob Thomas

+1 720 201 8260

Skype: bob.thomas.colorado

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