[Approved] Add the following template to suggestions-section

Hi good friends

1. Describe the problem
2. What current rules tackle this problem? Why are these rules unable to solve the problem
3. Proposition: explain the change (new rule added / amendment / old rule removed)
4. Analysis: Explain why this change will fix the problem
(5. Side-effects: explain why there is little backlash / why it's worth the weigh-off. Include the down-sides here)

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Let me apply it:

1.
Problem 1: Suggestions are often not suggestions (i.e. they only describe a problem and not a solution to it) or unclear.
Problem 2: Discussions regarding the suggestions are not efficient (i.e. people misinterpreting eachother).

2. There isn't a rule dealing with this

3. Add the following template in a sticky. It's optional to make the use of the template mandatory.

4. The template will help structure whatever the writer is trying to suggest. It offers him a moment of reflection, which will only benefit the quality of the suggestion. So for instance, by following the template, a writer may come to the conclusion that his suggestion isn't actually a suggestion, but the description of a problem. As to the discussion - users will be able to check individual bullet points and decide whether they agree with which point, creating a more effective discussion with better engagement.

5. Backlash may be that users will refrain from posting suggestions because they will find following the template exhaustive. To that, my response is as follows: it's optional to make the template mandatory. And in the defense of a mandatory template, I argue that staff takes suggestions seriously and considers all of them. In return, the bare minimum required is for a well-structured suggestion.

 

Support. Could also refrain from some suggestions, when they've tried to pinpoint the points given, however was unable to do so, as the change wouldn't fix the problem for example. I do not see any negative downside to this addition and only creates a space of better suggestions. It's optional anyways, so people is not forced to do it.

Nice suggestion.

 

Support, Yes.

Would make it more clear and maybe little less discussion.

 

Sure, why not

 

I wouldn’t mind some sort of guideline, but a 5-step long template where I have to analyze my entire suggestion is a nogo for me. I feel like suggestions should always have some kind of discussion going on in the threads rather than the “I (don’t) support”s. And they should be as accessible as possible.

 

Do you have a counterproposal/template in mind? Please share your improved one

 

oh, you mean something like this?

 

Why would we want to encourage less discussion? Discussion is a good thing. It promotes differing perspectives and encourages creativity.

 

I think Robin meant less ineffective discussion, meaning less repeating of arguments/irrelevant arguments etc.

 

some things require discussion, others (like this one) don't require much input - its a good suggestion, it would help some of the more retarded suggestions that get fed through, like the majority of those suggested by @Red Fox

 

This is very correct.

 

Fair enough.


This has merit and could be valuable IMO.

The suggestion section overall is very overrun. There are 25+ “active” threads, several of which have not been commented on in four+ months. There are also a dozen “pending” suggestions.

I’m not opposed to requiring use of a template. I could see it being beneficial by eliminating the clutter of poorly thought out suggestions. It could also provide stronger framework for discussion surrounding the suggestion being made, which I think is the point that @Robiiiiin is trying to make.

As it stands, there's a kink in the suggestion process. I think that addressing the timely resolution of suggestions by the staff team needs prioritization. There are way too many unresolved threads. The last thing we need at this time is a suggestion about the suggestions.

 

No support for me.

As Wortel said, some sort of guideline isn’t bad and i will maybe agree with this. But this is too much imo.

 

Adding the template would be great as a reference, maybe not as a requirement

Would be nice for users who have good suggestions in mind but have no clue how to present the idea