Define stages for changes to GraphQL specification

stages.md

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+# Stages for changes to GraphQL specification
+
+This document describes set of stages required for merging changes to the
+GraphQL specification. These stages are intended to:
++ Be as flexible as possible.
++ Define a clear process for getting changes into the specification.
++ Provide transparency for participants in the GraphQL ecosystem of the
+status/progress of proposals.
++ Encourage community discussion around the proposed changes.
+
+Any changes to a specification that affect behavior of **GraphQL server or
+client implementation** should go through bellow stages no matter how small
+it is. All other changes should be labeled as “editorial” and could be merged
+right away.
+
+## Stage -2: proposed change(optional)
+**Prerequisite**: Described problem/change should be specific to the content of
+GraphQL Specification and not be an implementation detail.
+
+**Purpose**: Filter out questions, issues for other repos and engage community
+discussion.
+
+## Stage -1: PR requested(optional)
+**Prerequisite**: Issue should contain description of problem/usecase and
+proposed solution.
+
+**Purpose**: Find member of community to be champion for this change.
+
+## Stage 0: Proposal
+**Prerequisite**:
++ Initial version of spec changes
++ Filled checklist in PR description
+
+**Steps**: start review process on specification changes
+
+**Post-Acceptance Changes Expected**: Major
+
+## Stage 1: Draft
+**Prerequisite**:
++ Finalized wording inside Specification document
++ Proposed spec changes don’t have any blind spots (undescribed edge-cases,
+missed changes to related part of spec, etc.)
+
+**Steps**: start working on [graphql-js](https://github.com/graphql/graphql-js)
+PR
+
+**Post-Acceptance Changes Expected**: Incremental
+
+## Stage 2: Candidate
+**Prerequisite**:
++ Prepared PR for graphql-js
++ Notify all members of [GraphQL WG](https://github.com/graphql/graphql-wg)
++ Community consent on the proposed change. If it’s hard to achieve, add it to
+agenda of the next WG meeting.
++ No changes to the graphql and graphql-js PRs for at least last 7 days
+
+**Steps**: Merge graphql-js PR and release NPM package
+
+**Post-Acceptance Changes Expected**: only those deemed critical based on
+implementation experience
+
+## Stage 3: Merged
+**Prerequisite**:
++ At least one month since release of the graphql-js with proposed change
++ Community consent on proposed change. If it’s hard to achieve add to agenda of
+the next WG meeting.
+
+**Steps**: Merge PR into “master” branch
+
+**Post-Acceptance Changes Expected**: none