Publication Request Form / System

Hi, folks-

I have a suggestion for our publication workflow that I think would 
provide clarity and consistency: a publication request form.

This would be a form that contains all the fields needed for each stage 
of the publication process, including spec name, shortname(s), URLs of 
Editor's Draft and TR draft, abstract, WG name, WG approval to publish, 
planned publication date, news-item blurb, optional list of changes, 
notes (for anything out of the ordinary), etc.

Anyone could fill out this form, though typically it would be the staff 
contact's responsibility; once submitted, the publication request goes 
into the DB, and emails to the appropriate people and lists (chairs 
list, domain lead, staff contacts, marcomm, webreq, etc.) are sent out 
automagically.

In addition, it's queued up in a list/tool (maybe team-only, but with a 
public view) that lets the domain lead and/or director click a checkbox 
to approve the publication if necessary; this would also generate the 
correct emails. This list would include crucial status information, to 
make it easier to track what stages have been done for the publication, 
and what is blocking, making it consistent and easy to review and 
approve without hunting through email lists.

Some odd cases would need to be done by regular email, of course, but 
the vast majority of spec publications would be handled by this.

This would be an optional tool, though staff contacts would be 
encouraged to use it; if the pub requests came through email, the staff 
contact or webmaster could just make sure they are filed in this system 
correctly.

This would empower WG participants, and could free up some of the more 
tedious time from staff contacts.

This may already have been suggested elsewhere or elsewhen (I thought of 
it years ago), but I think it'd be useful.

Anyone like this idea?

Regards-
-Doug

Received on Thursday, 20 June 2013 14:37:20 UTC