diff --git a/release-process.rst b/release-process.rst index 14ed542..30d8df4 100644 --- a/release-process.rst +++ b/release-process.rst @@ -455,32 +455,50 @@ But they are not: Release managers selection **************************** -About three months prior to the scheduled release of the first alpha release of -the next minor or major version (around April 1st or shortly thereafter), the -release managers for the latest version branch should issue a call for -volunteers to begin the selection process for the next release managers. - -The release manager team consists of two or three people, it is notable that at -least one of the volunteers should be a "veteran" release manager, meaning they -have contributed to at least one PHP release in the past. The other can be an -additional veteran or, ideally, someone new to the RM role (to increase number -of veteran RMs). - -Issue the call for volunteers on internals@lists.php.net on or around March 1st. -See, for example: https://news-web.php.net/php.internals/113334 - -There is no rule for how long the call for volunteers must remain open. We -should aim to select the release managers by early April, so announcing the call -in early March gives people about a month to decide whether they wish to -volunteer. - -Voting is conducted using "Single Transferrable Vote" (STV). - -Using some maths, we'll start with the 1st preference and gradually remove -candidates with the fewest votes, transferring votes that had previously gone to -them to their voter’s 2nd preference, and so on. Once required number of -candidates have a quorum (Droop quota), those will be officially selected as our -RMs. +The release manager team for each PHP version MUST consist of two hands-on +release managers and one hands-off release manager. Hands-on release managers +perform the actual release manager work as outlined above, in particular they +make the actual releases, usually alternating for every patch release, and are +the main contact in case of questions regarding to and issues with the PHP +version they are responsible for. The hands-off release manager advises the +hands-on release managers, helps resolve disagreements between the hands-on +release managers as a “tie-breaker” and steps in if one of the hands-on release +managers becomes unavailable. + +Hands-on release managers of an actively supported PHP version (i.e. the first +two years after the GA release) MUST NOT apply to be a hands-on release manager +for the upcoming PHP version. Hands-off release managers of an actively +supported PHP version SHOULD NOT apply to be a hands-off release manager for the +upcoming PHP version. + +As an example, a hands-on release manager for PHP 8.3 (actively supported until +2025-12-31) is only eligible to be a hands-on release manager starting with PHP +8.6 (application period starting in 2026). + +The hands-off release manager MUST be a veteran release manager, meaning they +MUST have previously served as a hands-on release manager. The hands-off release +manager SHOULD be a hands-on release manager of a currently supported PHP +version to ensure they are familiar with the current practices. It is customary +that a hands-on release manager of the most recent PHP version volunteers as the +hands-off release manager for the upcoming PHP version. + +About four months prior to the scheduled release of the first alpha release of +the upcoming PHP version (early March), the process to find release managers for +the upcoming PHP version MUST start with a “call for volunteers” on the +``internals@lists.php.net`` mailing list. The process SHOULD be started by one +of the hands-on release managers of the most recent PHP version. + +The application period SHOULD last roughly one month, such that the vote for the +next release managers starts in early April, about three months prior to the +scheduled release of the first alpha version of the upcoming PHP version. The +end of the application period MUST be defined in the “call for volunteers” +email. It MAY be extended if an insufficient number of volunteers stepped +forward. + +See the call for PHP 8.6 release managers as an example: +https://news-web.php.net/php.internals/130240 + +Voting is conducted using "Single Transferrable Vote" (STV) method. *************************************************************** Feature(s) preview release, solving the experimental features