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RFC Template

Related Pitch Template

Responsibility Assignment Matrix (RACI)​

Refer to the RACI - Responsibility Assignment Matrix

ResponsibleAccountableConsultedInformed
@responsible-person@accountable-person@consulted-person@informed-person

Note: be sure to @username each person in the matrix so they receive automatic notifications on updates to the RFC.

Status​

RFC lifecycle: DRAFT → IN PROGRESS → APPROVED → IMPLEMENTED

If the challenge is parked temporarily: ON HOLD

And if the situation changes and the RFC is no longer needed: WITHDRAWN

StatusTransitioned to on
IN PROGRESSdate
APPROVED
IMPLEMENTED

Overview​

... a concise, clear description of your problem, context to the proposal and the root cause(s)

... for a bit more context refer to the Requests For Comments tech blog, and for a bit more guidance on the sections of this template → RFC Guidance

Out Of Scope​

... What, if anything, is Out Of Scope for discussion in this RFC.

Solution Design​

Describe your solution design; the key aspects (system boundaries and interactions, key API interfaces) not the comprehensive implementation details

... Not set in stone! Once you've aligned on and approved a solution design, you'll learn new things during implementation. Update this section as you fine-tune based on your learnings

Alternatives Considered​

Replace this text with the alternative choices the team evaluated but not pick in favor of the solution design.

Solution Design​

... Your solution design; the key aspects (system boundaries and interactions, key API interfaces) not the comprehensive implementation details ...

... Not set in stone! Once you've aligned on and approved a solution design, you'll learn new things during implementation. Update this section as you fine-tune based on your learnings ...

Actions Taken​

... Meetings related to shaping up, reviewing, and approving ...

Consulted Sign-Ups​

... Consider tracking who you sign up in your Consulted set; technical experts or leads and key business stakeholders ...

  • consulted's name
  • consulted's name
  • ...

Approval Results​

... Consider tracking who is part of the final approval for the problem + proposed solution design ...

  • approver's name
  • approver's name
  • ...

Change Log​

  1. Changed the title format from Scope-RFC-ID to RFC-ID-Scope
  2. Decided to make this a numbered list instead of a table.
  3. Added an Alternatives Considered Section

Idea is that if an RFC changes significantly, it's surprising to readers / commentors, so it's good to make that obvious here in the change log.

Terminology​

RFC: Acronym for Request for Comments. The Request for Comments pattern is a style of memo used by many technology groups to describe standards, provide information, suggest experiments, define best practices, etc. For more info, the Wikipedia article is a good source.

References​