User:Gazimoff/Coaching proposal

The problem
Currently, administrator coaching is seen in a bad light. Some forms of coaching were  seen as an attempt to game the Requests for Adminship  process, while others  caused actual harm in areas such as Good Article  nomination. As a result, potential candidates tend to avoid the  process, while potential nominators  tend to seek candidates that have developed their skills outside of that  process. In addition, there is now a shortage of coaches as administrators and seasoned editors distance themselves from the process. Consequently there is currently a feeling that good administrator candidates are  becoming harder to identify and encourage.

Existing support
New editors are wncouraged to participate in the Adopt a User programme in order to learn the basics of Wikipedia from a more seasoned editor. This process does not require admin support and provides both the mentor and the mentee with opportunities for development. Anyone can volunteer to become a mentor and no quality control or standardisation is used. Once complete, an editor is said to graduate from the scheme.

Wikiprojects are also a mechanism for editor support. Although underused, wikiprojects provide support on specific subject areas such as media and arts, sport, humanities and so on. They also provide collaborative support to article development and a form of  quality control through article assessment.

Editor Review provides a method of obtaining feedback on performance and capabilities up to the  point when the review is started. Although this allows for editors to recieve wide ranging reviews from previously uninvolved editors, the  process is often backlogged and feedback can often take a while to trickle  through.

Identifying the gap
With the above information in mind, there is a clear need to offer ongoing editor development to those who  desire it, particularly in areas such as article quality development,  dispute resolution, application of policies (including IAR), and other non  content related functions.