Include material on the utility of project roadmaps

[semioticrobotic]

The guide doesn't currently contain any explanation of or guidance on setting and maintaining project roadmaps—though by my count its authors reference the importance of establishing project roadmaps at least 15 times. Because this is a tool most open source projects use (and occasionally misuse), I think the guidebook should include something about it.

I tend to like @funnelfiasco's advice on the topic. With any luck, we may be able to convince him to contribute some of his recent writing for a new chapter or section.

[funnelfiasco]

Hey, I know that guy. I'm sure I could talk him into writing that content given a general shape of what you want and how it fits in.

[semioticrobotic]

Nice! A huge boon for the project.

We've been discussing the prospect of a new release. While we don't have any firm dates yet, I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Meanwhile, I would say that we'd likely place something about roadmaps in the "Guiding Participants" section. I think your pre-existing writing already has an appropriate scope. A next step might be to clone the chapter template and begin noodling.

[semioticrobotic]

At long last, @funnelfiasco, I am able to return to this. Would you still be interested in working on it for the next release of the guidebook? Pleading commenced.

[funnelfiasco]

I can do that. Do you have a roadmap for the next release so that I may give myself an appropriate deadline?

[semioticrobotic]

That's great, @funnelfiasco! Many thanks.

At the moment I'm attempting to engage authors to see who responds and is amenable. From there, I plan to work backwards to set some deadlines and plan the release milestone. So, truly, the date can be what you'd like it to be. But if you're looking for guidance that might add creative pressure: say, a month?

[semioticrobotic]

How's this going, @funnelfiasco? If you're amenable to it, would you consider a "chapter swap" for peer review and editorial comment as you wrap up? @dneary and I are re-writing the chapter on open source strategy and I think you'd be a great editor and subject matter expert there. We'll read yours if you read ours.

[funnelfiasco]

To quote one of my favorite musicals:

John Adams: Do you mean to say that it is not yet finished?
Thomas Jefferson: No, sir. I mean to say that it's not yet begun.

I am very much hoping that with the end of summer, I'll have more time to focus on these sorts of projects in my backlog. I'd be glad to review your chapter once I'm done with the two I've committed to write, but given where I am in the process, please don't block on my review.

[semioticrobotic]

Fair enough. Thanks for considering. And good luck!