Wikipedia:Centralized discussion

The centralized discussion template (shortcut: T:CENT) is generally used to draw attention to discussions regarding policies, guidelines or other matters that have a wide impact and on which a broad consensus is needed. It expands to the box listing with heading "Centralized Discusssion" at the top of this page, listing such discussions.

There are many alternative methods of publicizing discussions. Announcements, such as for ArbCom elections, etc., are generally done via the Watchlist notice or the Sitenotice. Discussions related to content, including use of infoboxes and templates within a specific topic area, are usually best advertised within the appropriate WikiProjects.

Background
Wikipedians frequently discuss proposed changes to a Wikipedia policy or guideline; these may take the form of new proposals, amendments to existing policies or guidelines, or requests for comments. These discussions generally take place on relevant talk pages. They may also occur at Meta-Wiki.

Village pump (policy) and Village pump (proposals) provide central areas both for giving notice of discussions elsewhere and for debate itself. Despite regular archiving, these pages tend to grow rather lengthy. It's not always easy to know what issues are active.

Listing examples
Discussions listed on Cent are about matters that are significant enough to require a broad consensus. See Canvassing for guidance on the appropriate way to gain attention.

Some discussions may also be listed on Requests for comment.

Appropriate
 * Discussions on existing policies, guidelines and procedures
 * Discussions on proposed policies, guidelines and procedures
 * Discussions on matters that have a wide impact

Inappropriate
 * Announcements – see Community portal, MediaWiki:Watchlist-messages, or MediaWiki:Sitenotice
 * Content disputes – see Dispute resolution requests
 * Topic-specific discussions – see WikiProject
 * Minor matters, housekeeping, article content discussions, or maintenance – see Be bold or Talk page guidelines.
 * General ideas or proposals, reviving dead projects, technical issues, or any other matters that would be better suited to Village pump

How to list

 * To add a new item, edit Template:Centralized discussion, and place the item at the top of the list.
 * Link directly to the discussion. Single, unambiguous and concise links are preferred.
 * Describe the matter or proposal in neutral terms. It is not necessary to label the type of discussion, e.g. "RFC".
 * Add date of listing between hide brackets:.
 * At the discussion itself, add or similar.

When and how to archive
Entries for inactive discussions, closed or not, should be moved to Centralized discussion/Archive.

Cautions
Like any tool, this may be misused. Kindly exercise restraint, assume good faith, and allow process to take its course. Please don't add new policy ideas indiscriminately; trial balloons are better floated at Village pump (proposals). This template should be reserved for ongoing discussions. Remember, its usefulness is in inverse proportion to its size.

Before joining a debate, it might be wise to gather some background, especially on complex or long-standing issues. Please be courteous to your fellow editors and existing discussion before adding your own comment. It's hoped that centralized discussion will contribute to the opening of policy debate and the broadening of consensus; but of course no good purpose is served by uninformed comment.

Documentation

 * This page is for explanation of how centralized discussion is used.
 * Wikipedia talk:Centralized discussion is for any discussion about this process.
 * Template:Centralized discussion contains the actual box content of ongoing policy issues. It should be edited to stay current at all times.
 * Template:Centralized discussion/doc contains technical documentation of the template.
 * Template talk:Centralized discussion redirects to Wikipedia talk:Centralized discussion.
 * You may create any page of the form Wikipedia talk:Centralized discussion/Some topic if it does not appear that any particular existing talk page is the correct place for a policy-related discussion. Please note that there are a great many talk pages; a very large number of discussions are ongoing. Before creating yet another debate page, check to see that the topic is not already under discussion elsewhere. Search the project for keywords related to the topic in question.
 * Links are stored at Centralized discussion/Archive.