Proposal for API Repositories lifecycle with Sandbox / Incubated / Graduated / Archived

[hdamker]

Problem description

This issue is replacing the previous issue #129. It utilises the decoupling of API Repositories and CAMARA Sub Projects which was introduced with #142.

The maturity levels Sandbox / Incubated / Graduated / Archived are in this proposal applied to API Repositories.

• A Sandbox API Repository is meant for the rapid development of a new API proposal through one or multiple initial API versions (0.x.y) until the first public release of an Initial API Version within and under the guidelines of CAMARA. A Sandbox API Repository can be created independent of a CAMARA Sub Project or in context of an existing CAMARA Sub Project.
• An Incubated API Repository is meant for the further evolution of an API which has been implemented and launched already by at least one operator, fits into the CAMARA API portfolio and gained sufficient support within the CAMARA community. An Incubated API Repository is overseen by a CAMARA Sub Project. 
• A Graduated API Repository maintains a stable CAMARA API which has been widely adopted within the market (e.g. adopted within at least one complete market or #n operators across #m markets - detailed criteria to be defined later). It is overseen by a CAMARA Sub Project and with  mature processes to replace Maintainers and Codeowners within the API Repository.

With this proposal the decision about the creation of a new CAMARA Sub Project (if no existing Sub Project is fitting) is postponed to the Incubation process where much more information about the API, it's use case and user stories and the API specification and especially it's support by the community is available.

The full proposal including the definition of the lifecycle and the proposed criteria for the maturity levels is available within the Wiki and can be commented also there: https://wiki.camaraproject.org/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=38109400

Possible evolution

• Present and discuss in the TSC (August 22nd)
• Offline discussion and commenting here and in wiki (until September 5th)
• In parallel Preparation of PRs with
  • changes to the ProjectStructureAndRoles
  • replacement of the current API-onboarding.md document with a description of the lifecycle process
• Decision within the TSC about the approach and the PR to changes to the Governance documents (date?)

Alternative solution

Additional context

Open point: How to differentiate in CAMARA GitHub the different maturity levels to give interested visitors a clear orientation about the important API repositories. Proposals are welcome.

[hdamker]

@camaraproject/tsc-participants The proposal above and within https://wiki.camaraproject.org/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=38109400 https://lf-camaraproject.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CAM/pages/14560178/Proposal+for+the+lifecycle+of+API+Repositories+with+Sandbox+Incubated+Graduated+Archived for your attention.

[hdamker]

Updated the link to the proposal in wiki above.

[FabrizioMoggio]

I think this is good proposal to move forward on APIs that maybe are more innovative and require some more pre-work to be done to capture the attention of the operators or developers.