This project, still experimental, seeks community feedback to refine and expand dashboarding efforts across more teams. You can check out the individual dashboards by following these links:

Key Insights from the Experiment

Core Team

• While the WordPress project has always had a good balance between new and inactive contributors, there is a clear increase in the number of contributors going inactive in 2024, as shown in our research.
• The WordPress 6.6 dashboard shows a steady number of contributors (637), with 38% being new. In comparison, version 6.5 had 703 contributors, one of the largest recent releases.
• Core Team contributions happen in spikes around WordPress releases.
• Contributions are predominately by companies like Automattic, Yoast, GoDaddy, and 10up, with a reliance on sponsored contributors.
• Core GitHub repositories maintain strong close/merge rates, but there’s a downward trend projected for 2024.
• Contributor distribution is strong, with sponsored contributors supporting a majority of contributions. The team is currently focused on shipping version 6.7 and launching Gutenberg Phase 3.

Training Team

• The Training Team has exceeded its projected goals , by achieving a video retention rate of 50% for their video content. and and a course enrollment rate of almost 60%.
• Their Learning Pathways project has met its contribution goals, with high enrollment and course completion rates, as well as 90% learner satisfaction.
• The team relies on GitHub for project management, with high engagement among contributors.
• A high number of casual contributors indicates a need for more regular and core contributors to ensure long-term team health.
• The team seeks contributors for its learning pathways project and online workshop presenters .

Community Team

• The Community Team is close to achieving its projected goal of 45% new attendee participation, with a 44.76% rate.
• Post-COVID, the number of WordPress events has dipped but is showing improvement.
• The recent shift to GitHub for project management has resulted in high engagement.
• To meet ambitious goals, the team needs more program and event supporters and community event hosts.

The Process

We began this project by engaging with the WordPress community and gathering valuable feedback, which revealed the need for an automated dashboard tool. After extensive research, we selected Bitergia Analytics for its open-source nature and potential for self-hosting, ensuring digital sovereignty for the WordPress community. Bitergia offers customizable dashboards, GDPR compliance, and integrates with tools like Git, GitHub, IRC, Slack, Docker Hub, and more. Our Bitergia dashboard, linked to the WordPress GitHub repository, is currently private with access granted to @ courane01 , @ harishanker , @ peiraisotta , and @ nao . This service operates under a basic plan sponsored by Automattic, costing €1000/month.

Informed by insights from Bitergia Analytics, @ courane01 , @ harishanker , and @ peiraisotta hosted project health hangouts in May to gather further feedback from the broader WordPress community. Based on that input, we developed pilot dashboards for WordPress Core, Community, and Training teams, which rely heavily on metrics for their work. However, Bitergia Analytics doesn’t currently support our tools such as HelpScout, Figma, Trac, SVN, and GlotPress. To bridge this gap, we used alternative data sources like the WordPress 6.6 props list and contributor team data from the Community and Training teams to prepare these dashboards, alongside Bitergia Analytics.

What’s Next?

These dashboards were created as an experiment to assess their usefulness. Manually compiling the data is time-consuming and may not be sustainable. @ courane01 and I invested significant effort into preparing them. If they prove valuable, we hope to encourage other Make/Teams to create their own and explore a project-wide dashboard, though this could be resource-intensive. Positive feedback would support continued development, including building custom tools or upgrading to a premium Bitergia plan for deeper data insights to support contributor teams.

Request for Feedback

Thank you for reviewing this project! Our long-term goal is to build automated, live dashboards for WordPress. We appreciate your feedback on the following questions as we attempt to refine our work:

• Are these team metrics useful?
• Should we consider additional metrics?
• Should we continue creating similar dashboards in the future?
• Can we automate this process, and if so, how? (We’re considering Bitergia.)
• Are you interested in helping develop this further?

Please share your thoughts in the comments on or before October 7, 2024.

This post-was co-written by: @ courane01 and @ harishanker with inputs from @ nao @ cbringmann and @ georglink

The following individuals have directly contributed to this project: @ courane01 @ harishanker @ nao @ peiraisotta @ georglink . Big thanks to @ audrasjb @ cbringmann @ desrosj @ jorbin @ jeffpaul @ piyopiyofox @ zoonini @ west7 for their support, input, and feedback.

For further insights and to follow the development of this initiative, check out these resources:

• Recognizing Contributions and Acknowledging Challenges
• Would Stats Dashboards Help Your Team?
• Make Team Dashboards
• Project Health Dashboards
• May Project Health Hangouts Summary

# dashboards # project

+make.wordpress.org/core +make.wordpress.org/community +make.wordpress.org/training +make.wordpress.org/updates +make.wordpress.org/sustainability

In keeping with our commitment to meeting the needs of both current and future users, I’m excited to announce that Jamie Marsland will be taking on the management of the WordPress YouTube channel. Jamie’s extensive experience in the WordPress community and his passion for empowering creators through this medium makes him the ideal person to lead our efforts in expanding and enhancing our YouTube presence.

With over a decade of experience working with WordPress and training others, Jamie brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this role. He will oversee the creation of high-quality content, ensuring our channel remains a valuable resource and a source of inspiration for WordPress enthusiasts worldwide while inspiring and empowering other open source content creators to further the movement.

For those attending WordCamp US , say hello to Jamie in person! And for everyone else, please join me in welcoming him to this new role as we embark on an exciting new chapter for WordPress on YouTube.

# training , # tutorials , # youtube

Update: We have closed the call for mentors and mentees for the 2024 Q4 Mentorship Program cohort, as of August 26th, 23:59 Pacific Time. Thank you for the overwhelming response! The contributor working group will start evaluating applications from current and early applicants and will aim of finalize a group of mentors and mentees at the earliest. We hope to finalize our cohort by next week and plan to reach out to our selected mentors and mentees at the earliest by the week of September 16. Got questions? Drop a line to:  wpcontributors@wordcamp.org  or comment on this post with questions.

Following the success of our 2023 Q3 and 2024 Q1 cohorts , I’m thrilled to announce the official launch of the third WordPress Contributor Mentorship Program cohort, set for the final quarter of 2024. This program connects seasoned WordPress experts with newcomers, offering a fantastic opportunity for mentees to gain hands-on experience contributing to WordPress, while mentors share their expertise and improve their leadership skills.  

Program Goals and Details

Our program connects seasoned WordPress experts with newcomers. Mentees will gain hands-on experience in contributing to WordPress and grow their network of contacts within the global WordPress community, while mentors share their expertise and develop their leadership skills. Over six weeks, mentors and mentees will collaborate, learn, and contribute within a diverse, global community of talented contributors. Mentees will also get opportunities to directly contribute to WordPress 6.7 (the next and latest WordPress release) and also gain an inside view of WordPress contributions.  

Selection Process

Mentors and mentees will be selected based on various criteria, including mentor availability, participant interest, individual profiles, and adherence to WordPress Community Guidelines. Our goal is to include as many mentees and mentors as possible in this cohort.

Timeline

• Application Opens: Thursday, August 16, 2024
• Application Deadline: Monday, August 26, 2024
• Selected Mentors and Mentees Announced: By September 9, 2024
• Program Duration: October 7 to November 15, 2024 (6 weeks) 

Benefits

• For Mentees: Receive personalized guidance, develop your skills, and expand your network within the WordPress community.
• For Mentors: Give back to the community, enhance your leadership skills, and connect with emerging contributors.

Over 55 mentees have graduated, and 35 mentors have participated in this program thus far in two cohorts, with excellent results. Curious to learn more about the mentorship program and its impact? Check out the following blog posts:

• Official WordPress Podcast: Episode 78: Guided Growth: Cultivating Contributors Through Mentorship
• Cohort 2 (2024 Q1) Graduation Post
• Cohort 1 (2023 Q3) Graduation Post
• Do the Woo Podcast episode on Mentorship
• How the WordPress Contributor Mentorship Program Helped Me Build Confidence and Community – by Diana Gunn (2024 Q1 program mentee)
• Mentorship Program featured at the WCEU 2024: WordPress Summer Update by Matt Mullenweg

Join us in this exciting journey of learning and collaboration!

This post was collaboratively written by Contributor Working Group Members: @ estelaris @ harishanker @ kirasong @ oglekler @ patricia70 , @ tobifjellner

# contributor-working-group # wpcontributors , # mentorship-program # mentorship-cohort-november-2024 # mentorship # contributor-mentorship

+make.wordpress.org/updates/ +make.wordpress.org/accessibility/ +make.wordpress.org/core/ +make.wordpress.org/community/ +make.wordpress.org/cli/ +make.wordpress.org/design/ +make.wordpress.org/mobile/ +make.wordpress.org/polyglots/ +make.wordpress.org/support/ +make.wordpress.org/docs/ +make.wordpress.org/themes/ +make.wordpress.org/training/ +make.wordpress.org/test/ +make.wordpress.org/tv/ +make.wordpress.org/photos/ +make.wordpress.org/hosting/ +make.wordpress.org/openverse/ +make.wordpress.org/sustainability/

Imagine it as a comprehensive map that will guide every contributor through our beloved WordPress landscape.

As the founder and spearhead of the DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) working group , I’m excited to update you on an exciting development : we’ve committed ourselves to a revamp of the Contributor Handbook into the next iteration. This handbook – like every other handbook – is a living document and needs to grow alongside the project and its community. 

The Value of a Unified Guide

The new Contributor Handbook aims to be the quintessential resource for everyone in our community. It will provide a bird’s-eye view of where to find key information and how different aspects of our community interconnect. From community engagement rules to technical guidelines, this handbook will cover it all, making your journey as a WordPress contributor clearer and more structured.

Scope

The Contributor Handbook currently includes pages on Accessibility, Privacy Policy, a DEI Statement, the Community Code of Conduct, and Incident Response Team. Pages or parts of documentation that require legal consideration, like the Privacy Policy, will not be included in the scope of this work. Wherever required, the intention is to collaborate with teams that are most familiar with the page, for example, the Community Code of Conduct with the Incident Response Team. 

Collaboration Across Teams

Enhancing the handbook is a collaborative effort involving several key teams:

• Community Team : Focusing on integrating community interaction norms and event guidelines.
• Documentation Team : Ensuring that the handbook is comprehensive and easy to navigate.
• Project Leadership : Offering strategic guidance to align the handbook with broader WordPress objectives.

This cross-team collaboration ensures that the handbook serves as a holistic guide to the WordPress ecosystem, tailored to meet the needs of all contributors, new and seasoned alike.

Progress and Acknowledgments

Thank you to @ chanthaboune and @ angelasjin for the first iteration of the Contributor Handbook, and for suggestions provided by @ jeffpaul , @ tobifjellner , @ dd32 , @ juliacanzani , @ poena , @ sereedmedia , @ joedolson , @ ryelle . 

Also thanks to @ milana_cap , @j9magayanes , @ TantienHime , and @ CoachBirgit for their foundational work moving the needle forward at the CloudFest Hackathon. Their efforts led to the creation of a GitHub repository, which is now officially part of the WordPress organization, thanks to @ dd32 and @ leogopal . This repository is the new home for our ongoing development and collaboration on the handbook.

Call to Action: We Need Your Voice!

Your involvement is crucial as we refine and enhance the handbook:

• Review and Feedback : Dive into the Contributor Handbook GitHub repository to explore the drafts and contribute your suggestions.
• Join the Discussion : Comment below to discuss how the handbook can better serve as your go-to resource.

Conclusion

Our goal is to not just create a handbook, but to foster a living document that evolves with our community. Your involvement will help mold it into a dynamic resource that reflects the needs and knowledge of all WordPress contributors. Together, let’s build a resource that not only guides, but also inspires and unites us in our shared mission.

Next Steps

• Keep an eye on this blog and our GitHub repositories WordPress/DEIB-Issue-Tracker and Contributor-Handbook for updates and draft reviews.
• Join the conversation in our upcoming DEIB working group meetings every other week Friday in #DEIB-working-group , where we’ll discuss the handbook’s progress and gather more feedback.

We’re committed to making the Contributor Handbook a fundamental tool for everyone in our community. Let’s work together to create a resource that not only informs, but also empowers.

Props to @ angelasjin for reviewing and contributing to this announcement post

# DEIB # DEI # discussion # handbook # WPDiversity

Today, I am excited to share that Automattic has added 100 licenses to their Paradigm Reach account for WordPress community members. While this isn’t a full solution, I am optimistic that it is a step in the right direction. Paradigm Reach offers a comprehensive suite of online core workshops, microlearnings, and resources created by professional experts from around the world. Their platform allows for customization of learning content for users. 

Some recognized limitations and future hopes

In reviewing Paradigm Reach, there are a few limitations I’d like to note. Firstly, only 100 licenses are available. However, the licenses can be reassigned, meaning that when a contributor completes assigned courses, their access can be removed and granted to another contributor. Second, because the usual audience for Paradigm Reach tends to be businesses and employers, some of the examples used are in a more corporate or work setting. However, the content itself is still valuable and principles can be applied to collaboration and engagement in the WordPress community. Lastly, the content is in English, and there are no translations of the material. 

While these limitations are very real, I still believe there is a net positive in introducing Paradigm Reach and that it will help the WordPress community get to a more conscientious and equitable future state. My hope is that through this initial online training, enough community members around the world are able to participate in high quality and consistent DEIB training, and begin to build shared language and understanding around DEIB. Then, a working group of members who have participated in this training can leverage what they have learned to create online DEIB training specifically for the WordPress contributor community, which can be translated and made available at any time, to any one. 

Some more immediate next steps

For starters, it makes sense to try out two courses, an “Intro to DEIB” and an “Advanced DEIB” course. Because the licenses are limited, I’d like to invite the following contributor groups to try out this async training:

• Contributors who mentor or guide other contributors, like mentors for the Contributor Mentorship Program
• Contributors who handle sensitive mediation work, like Incident Response Team (IRT) Members (all IRT members are required to complete DEIB training)
• Contributors who communicate with large, international audiences, like Flagship event organizers
• Contributors who want to provide DEIB training to others, like DEIB working group leaders
• Contributors who have never experienced DEIB training previously

While the content should take no more than 3 hours to complete, participants will be given 8 weeks to finish assigned courses. Participants will also be asked to provide feedback on the content and recommendations for improvement. 
If you are interested in taking online DEIB training through Paradigm Reach, please fill out this form . Have questions or comments? Leave those in the comments below!

Following an exceptional lineup of speakers, workshops, and a busy Contributor Day was the finale: a Q&A session featuring WordPress Cofounder Matt Mullenweg , who took live questions from the audience. You can read more about the event or watch the full recording of the session:

There’s no more passionate community than WordPress, and with that comes an abundance of insightful questions. As with past events, this post gathers questions that Matt was unable to answer live—with answers from WordPress leadership and contributors.

Do you have a question? Comment below, and join one of the many teams making WordPress for answers.

# qa , # wc-asia , # wc-asia-2024