Add a bug reporting and triaging guide

Change-Id: If692795221661414b2990f8131433678402dd45b

4 files changed, 134 insertions, 1 deletions

diff --git a/doc/source/contributor/bugs.rst b/doc/source/contributor/bugs.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..548788776
--- /dev/null
+++ b/doc/source/contributor/bugs.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+Bug Reporting and Triaging Guide
+================================
+
+StoryBoard
+----------
+
+All ironic projects use StoryBoard_ for tracking both bugs and enhancement
+requests (RFE). The `ironic project group`_ lists all our projects.
+
+.. note::
+   Ironic is developed as part of OpenStack and therefore uses
+   the ``openstack/`` namespace.
+
+StoryBoard is somewhat different from traditional bug tracking
+systems because every *story* is not linked to a project itself, but rather
+through its *tasks*. A story represents an issue you are facing or an
+enhancement you want to see, while tasks represent individual action items
+which can span several projects. When creating a story, you'll also need to
+create the first task. If unsure, create a task against ``openstack/ironic``.
+
+Reporting Guide
+---------------
+
+We are constantly receiving a lot of requests, so it's important to file a
+meaningful story for it to be acted upon. A good story:
+
+* specifies **why** a change is needed.
+* explains how to reproduce the described condition.
+
+  .. note::
+     Please try to provide a reproducer based on unit tests, :ref:`devstack
+     <deploy_devstack>` or bifrost_. While we try our best to support users
+     using other installers and distributions, it may be non-trivial without
+     deep knowledge of them. If you're using a commercial distribution or
+     a product, please try contacting support first.
+
+* should be understandable without additional context. For example, if you see
+  an exception, we will need the full traceback.
+
+* should not be too verbose either. Unfortunately, we cannot process a few days
+  worth of system logs to find the problems, we expect your collaboration.
+
+* is not a question or a support request. Please see :doc:`contributing` for
+  the ways to contact us.
+
+* provides a way to contact the reporter. Please follow the comments and
+  expect follow-up emails, but ideally also be on IRC for questions.
+
+An enhancement request additionally:
+
+* benefits the overall project, not just one consumer. If you have a case that
+  is specific to your requirements, think about ways to make ironic extensible
+  to be able to cover it.
+
+* does not unnecessary increase the project scope. Consider if your idea can be
+  implemented without changing ironic or its projects, maybe it actually
+  should?
+
+Triaging Guide
+--------------
+
+The bug triaging process involves checking new stories to make sure they are
+actionable by the team. This guide is mostly targeting the project team, but we
+would appreciate if reporters could partly self-triage their own requests.
+
+* Determine if the request is valid and complete. Use the checklist in the
+  `Reporting Guide`_ for that.
+
+* Is the request a bug report or an enhancement request (an RFE)? The
+  difference is often subtle, the key question to answer is if the described
+  behavior is expected.
+
+  Add an ``rfe`` tag to all enhancement requests and propose it for the "RFE
+  Review" section of the `weekly meeting`_.
+
+* Does the RFE obviously require a spec_? Usually this is decided when an RFE
+  is reviewed during the meeting, but some requests are undoubtedly complex,
+  involve changing a lot of critical parts and thus demand a spec.
+
+  Add a ``needs-spec`` tag to enhancement requests that obviously need a
+  spec. Otherwise leave it until the meeting.
+
+* Apply additional tags:
+
+  * All hardware type specific stories should receive a corresponding tag (e.g.
+    ``ipmi``, ``idrac``, etc).
+
+  * API-related stories should have an ``api`` tag.
+
+  * CI issues should have a ``gate`` tag.
+
+The next actions **must only** be done by a core team member (or an experienced
+full-time contributor appoined by the PTL):
+
+* Can the RFE be automatically approved? It happens if the RFE requests an
+  implementation of a driver feature that is already implemented for other
+  drivers and does not pose additional complexity.
+
+  If the RFE can be automatically approved, apply the ``rfe-approved`` tag.
+  If unsure, never apply the tag! Talk to the PTL instead.
+
+* Does the RFE have a corresponding spec approved? If yes, apply the
+  ``rfe-approved`` tag.
+
+* In the end, apply the ``ironic-triaged`` tag to make the story as triaged.
+
+Expiring Bugs
+-------------
+
+While we hope to fix all issues that our consumers hit, it is unfortunately not
+realistic. Stories **may** be closed by marking all their tasks ``INVALID`` in
+the following cases:
+
+* No solution has been proposed in 1 calendar year.
+
+* Additional information has been requested from the reporter, and no update
+  has been provided in 1 calendar month.
+
+* The request no longer aligns with the direction of the project.
+
+.. note::
+   As usual, common sense should be applied when closing stories.
+
+.. _StoryBoard: https://storyboard.openstack.org
+.. _ironic project group: https://storyboard.openstack.org/#!/project_group/ironic
+.. _bifrost: https://docs.openstack.org/bifrost
+.. _spec: https://specs.openstack.org/openstack/ironic-specs/
+.. _weekly meeting: https://wiki.openstack.org/wiki/Meetings/Ironic
diff --git a/doc/source/contributor/contributing.rst b/doc/source/contributor/contributing.rst
index 88f8449da..7295da979 100644
--- a/doc/source/contributor/contributing.rst
+++ b/doc/source/contributor/contributing.rst
@@ -36,11 +36,13 @@ The ironic project moved from Launchpad to `StoryBoard
 <https://storyboard.openstack.org/>`_ for work and task tracking.
 This provides an aggregate view called a "Project Group"
 and individual "Projects". A good starting place is the
-`project group <https://storyboard.openstack.org/#!/project_group/75>`_
+`project group <https://storyboard.openstack.org/#!/project_group/ironic>`_
 representing the whole of the ironic community, as opposed to
 the `ironic project <https://storyboard.openstack.org/#!/project/943>`_
 storyboard which represents ironic as a repository.
 
+See :doc:`bugs` for more details on how we track bugs.
+
 Internet Relay Chat 'IRC'
 -------------------------
 
diff --git a/doc/source/contributor/index.rst b/doc/source/contributor/index.rst
index 136827f94..0377bdb34 100644
--- a/doc/source/contributor/index.rst
+++ b/doc/source/contributor/index.rst
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ project.
   :maxdepth: 1
 
   Developer Contribution Guide <contributing>
+  Bugs Reporting and Triaging Guide <bugs>
   Setting Up Your Development Environment <dev-quickstart>
   Priorities <https://specs.openstack.org/openstack/ironic-specs/#priorities>
   Specifications <https://specs.openstack.org/openstack/ironic-specs/>
diff --git a/doc/source/index.rst b/doc/source/index.rst
index 39d7481ee..d62cadeee 100644
--- a/doc/source/index.rst
+++ b/doc/source/index.rst
@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ previous release of ironic, append the OpenStack release name to the URL; for
 example, the ``ocata`` release is available at
 https://docs.openstack.org/ironic/ocata/.
 
+Found a bug in one of our projects? Please see :doc:`/contributor/bugs`.
+
 Installation Guide
 ==================