May in WordPress

This month was full of backlog management, prioritisation and clearing out queues. I focused on identifying where things were blocking and preparing for WordCamp Europe.

Areas of contribution

Whilst my focus was on backlog management, it split into two distinct areas:

  • Closing tickets: I focused on Trac and the Gutenberg repo for this. Make sure to go oldest first.
  • Focusing design: Ensuring the design queue was clear about what needed design and what required feedback. This was something that arose from contributor input as a point of confusion, and I have made considerable progress through this. I worked on issues, focusing on having only one of those states, and also addressed items in ‘needs design’ that were truly ready for implementation, having an agreement in place. This work does need to continue.

I also began thinking about how to optimise and make reporting easier for backlog management, and I want to bring those discussions to WordCamp Europe. 

Some stats across the backlog management of issues and tickets in Trac and Github.

  • Triaged: around 143
  • Closed: 60
  • Prioritised in design: around 49

In other contributions, I worked on some designs and gave feedback across a range of tickets. I also began exploring how far DataViews can go and have a list of things to now report from this. It reminded me of the value of pushing the boundaries of our learning features.

Upcoming plans for contribution

The big event is WordCamp Europe, which is taking place this week. I will be attending Contribution Day. After that, the following are my objectives:

  • Extensibility: Continue my focus on work there and prioritise how to establish criteria for what gets in and what does not. Hopefully, unblocking a range of issues during WordCamp Europe.
  • Backlog management: My work is constant, but I want to explore how it can evolve smarter, potentially utilising systems to manage and enhance workflow.
  • Papercuts: After WordCamp, I will pick this up again with several issues to focus on.

With WordCamp Europe, I am restricting my plans beyond what I have mentioned above, as things will likely emerge from it and change.

Sponsors this month

I now have three company sponsors: BigScootsGreyd and Kinsta. I also have five sponsors through GitHub: Aaron JorbinTim NashJeffrey PaulFelipe Santos and Scot Rumery. To everyone who sponsored me and helped me secure a sponsorship, thank you.

Want to sponsor me? You can go through GitHub or also get in touch.

There is always sponsorship, of course, that is volunteered, and I’ll do as much as possible whilst still keeping things flowing – let’s get contributing!

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