[Qgis-developer] Resurrecting the RFC (QEP - QGIS Enhancement Proposal)

[Nathan Woodrow]

Hey all,

I would like to raise something I have been considering for a while now. We
are becoming a large project, in code and users, and there has been some
recent issues of developers doing work only for there to be disagreements
on the implementation. I would like resurrect the use of RFCs, or I think
would should name them QEP (QGIS Enhancement Proposal because that sounds
much cooler :)

My thinking behind this was:

- QGIS is picking up pace in popularity and use so we need something to
formalise the future feature set and any improvements for the next version.
 Most people know the Python project uses the idea of PEPs in order to
document what new major features are coming in X version and to explain the
rational, or reasons .  I have found this handy to be able to look at
detailed overview of why a feature made it or didn't, or when it might make
it, or if ever.

- This is more then just using the bug tracker to log future features. This
is something where we can have more detail and then break it down into sub
tasks which can live in the bug tracker but linked to the QEP (RFC).

- The QEP should also have formal voting and discussion around the
proposal. This should be limited to a small pool of developers.

- The QEP could also list changes the API, or if breaking changes need to
be made.

- Things like how the new feature might fit into other future plans.

- QEPs should list as much detail as possible in order to help everyone see
the bigger picture with the feature or change.

Another reason I was thinking about this was in order to consolidate major
features and collaborate better. Emails are fine but get lost and forgotten
very easily, the bug tracker is the same.  The QEP can link to the emails
and tickets for future reference.  QEPs should be the central point for the
feature linking to everything that is related.

Tim has been using GitHub for inaSAFE RFCs and it looks good. IMO I would
say we should use that.

Thoughts?

Nathan
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