Wikipedia:WikiProject Transport/Brainstorm

Goals of this initiative

 * 1) To identify features and benefits that a child project could gain from strengthening ties with The Transport WikiProject (TRANSPORT).
 * 2) To construct a message that effectively convey these features and benefits.
 * 3) To build a team to take this message to the child projects.
 * 4) To take the message to the child projects, offering them options, and offering any support they need in choosing how to respond to the proposal.
 * 5) To provide technical support as needed for a child project to reach its goals.

Axioms

 * 1) WikiProjects can have a positive effect on developing topic areas in Wikipedia.
 * 2) TRANSPORT has realized little of its potential in these areas.
 * 3) The transport topic area is one of wide interest among Wikipedia editors.
 * 4) 59 other wikiprojects have listed themselves as child projects of TRANSPORT.  Some are very successful, others are less so.
 * 5) The Military History WikiProject (MILHIST) is an example of a general topic area with many specialized topic areas, and is an example of a successful wikiproject.
 * 6) It's reasonable to expect that child projects may become more effective by creating stronger ties with TRANSPORT.
 * 7) It's reasonable to expect that TRANSPORT may become more successful by adopting some features of MILHIST.

Definitions
To facilitate discussion, let's define a few terms:


 * 1) Let's call a WikiProject a child project if every article in its scope is also within TRANSPORT's scope.
 * 2) Let's call a WikiProject a related project if a large portion of articles in its scope is also within TRANSPORT's scope.
 * 3) Let's define a mentor as an editor who doesn't necessarily have interest in the TRANSPORT subject area per se, but who has an interest in the development of WikiProjects, and experience in the administrative aspects of Wikipedia.  A mentor may, as he or she desires, help shape strategy, craft the message, act as a technical resource, and help liaise with interested parties.
 * 4) Let's define an advocate as an editor who has a personal interest in one or more topics in the TRANSPORT subject area, who is willing to assist individual projects form stronger ties with the TRANSPORT WikiProject.

À la carte menu
All of the following options should be open to child projects. Having their "Articles by quality" category tree mirrored into TRANSPORT's seems a particularly clear choice.

In the case of related projects, WP:CHINA has set an interesting precedent. By creating a transportation task force within their project, they have made a child task force which they have included under TRANSPORT. Other related projects may be interested in following this example.

Potential related projects

 * Aircraft
 * Ships
 * Running
 * Rocketry
 * WikiProject Shipwrecks

Mentors
Please add your name if you are interested in mentoring this initiative.

Advocates
Please add your name if you are interested in acting as an advocate for this initiative.