This document describes the stages through which a technology project passes within the Catholic Digital Commons Foundation (CDCF). The process is designed to ensure mission alignment, technical excellence, and sustainable governance.
Any community member or institution can propose a project for CDCF consideration.
- Submission: A project proposal is submitted via a formal request, including a clear statement of purpose and its potential service to the Church.
- Initial Review: The CDCF board or a designated committee performs an initial screening for mission alignment and canonical scope.
A project accepted into incubation becomes an official CDCF candidate.
- Entrance Criteria: Satisfies Criterion 1 (Mission Alignment) and demonstrates a plan for satisfying Criteria 2-6.
- Objective: Build toward Graduation by satisfying all Gate 1 and Gate 2 criteria.
- Mentorship: Incubating projects may be assigned mentors to guide them through the CDCF's governance and technical standards.
A project graduates to active CDCF status when it has demonstrated operational readiness and long-term sustainability.
- Entrance Criteria: Satisfies all 8 CDCF Project Vetting Criteria.
- Status: Recognised as a mature, "active" CDCF project. It is considered ready for wide-scale deployment across Catholic institutions.
Active projects are the core of the CDCF ecosystem.
- Ongoing Requirements: Must maintain satisfaction of all criteria, including regular security audits, community governance, and adherence to updated standards.
- Governance: Managed by a Project Management Committee (PMC) or equivalent accountable body.
A project that is no longer actively maintained or that has been superseded by other technology may be moved to the Attic.
- Process: Initiated by the PMC or the CDCF board when a project is no longer viable or aligned with current needs.
- Status: The project remains available for historical reference but is no longer officially supported or endorsed for new deployments.