Component Proposal Process

A component proposal process provides a structured way to request, evaluate, and decide on new component additions to a design system. Well-designed processes balance accessibility for proposers with efficient evaluation for maintainers.

What Is a Component Proposal Process

The proposal process is a defined workflow for requesting new components. It specifies how proposals are submitted, what information they must include, how they are evaluated, who decides outcomes, and how decisions are communicated. Formal processes ensure consistent handling.

Proposal processes serve multiple purposes. They capture component ideas before they are lost. They provide information needed for evaluation. They create fair, consistent decision-making. They communicate outcomes to proposers. They document decisions for future reference.

How to Design Proposal Processes

Submission mechanisms enable proposals to be captured. Templates ensure necessary information is provided. Accessible submission (forms, issues, dedicated channels) reduces barriers. Clear expectations about what proposals should include helps proposers prepare.

Evaluation criteria determine how proposals are assessed. Criteria might include demonstrated need (multiple teams want it), design system fit (aligns with scope and patterns), feasibility (can be built with available resources), and sustainability (can be maintained long-term).

Decision authority specifies who decides. Small design systems might have single decision-makers. Larger systems might use committees or community input. Clear authority prevents ambiguity about who can approve or reject.

Communication processes inform proposers of outcomes. Decisions should be communicated promptly with explanation. Acceptances describe next steps. Rejections explain reasoning and potentially suggest alternatives.

Documentation records proposals and decisions. This creates institutional memory, prevents relitigating past decisions, and provides reference for similar future proposals.

Key Considerations

• Proposal processes should be proportionate; lightweight for simple additions, more thorough for significant ones
• Fast feedback on proposals maintains proposer engagement
• Rejection should be respectful and constructive
• Approved proposals need paths to implementation
• Processes should evolve based on experience

Common Questions

How detailed should proposals be?

Detail should be sufficient for evaluation without requiring full implementation work. Describing the need, showing examples of desired behavior, and outlining proposed API enables assessment. Overly detailed proposals may represent wasted effort if rejected; insufficient detail may prevent evaluation.

What happens to approved proposals?

Approved proposals enter implementation. Depending on design system practices, implementation might be done by the proposer, the design system team, or collaboratively. Clear communication about responsibilities and timelines prevents approved proposals from stalling.

Summary

Component proposal processes provide structured workflows for requesting and evaluating new components. Effective processes include accessible submission, clear evaluation criteria, defined decision authority, prompt communication, and thorough documentation. Well-designed processes enable community input while maintaining quality and coherence.