Starting a project is easy and instant: create a Free-Space Project. If you want to start a formal Project or Sub-Project, see the questions below to get started.
Question #1: Do you want to start it right now?
If you want to get started immediately, simply create a Free-Space Project now.
Projects often start as a Free-Space Projects and later become more formal when they have more members.
If you don't mind waiting, go on to the next question.
Question #2: Does your idea relate to an existing project?
Browse the projects list. Which projects are the closest to what you're envisioning?
If your idea might logically fit under the umbrella of an existing project it might make sense to launch your idea as a Project Team. This is much easier and faster than setting up a new Project or Sub-Project. Simply get in touch with the leader(s) of the project and coordinate with them.
If the members of the existing project don't support your idea or won't respond, contact Leader Help.
If there is no existing project that relates to your idea, go on to the next question.
Question #3: Are you currently a "Project Leader"?
WikiTree has a member permissions status called "Project Leader." Project Leaders can assign project badges, project-protect profiles, etc. It's necessary for someone involved in a formal project to have these permissions.
Sub-Projects and Project Teams can be led by any member. We call these Project Coordinators and Team Leaders. The leaders of the parent project then help with some of the administration.
If you are not a Project Leader but your idea doesn't fit within an existing project, contact Leader Help. We will talk to Project Leaders to see if any are willing to join your project or assist with it. In some cases it may make sense to create a new parent project to encompass your idea. For example, if you wanted to create a China Project there may be Project Leaders who have already been considering an Asia Project and your energy would be the catalyst that makes it happen.
If you are a Project Leader and your idea doesn't fit within an existing project, proceed to the next question.
Question #4: Do you have a mission statement and task list?
You may already have a good idea of what your project will be all about. Have you written it out yet?
See Help:Project Pages and the projects list for examples. You may want to create a Free-Space Project as a page to hold your draft.
Once you have a draft of a mission statement and task list for your project, go on to the next question.
Question #5: How many members do you have?
Free-Space Projects and Project Teams don't have minimum membership levels. See Help:Project Definitions for the requirements for formal Projects and Sub-Projects.
If you don't have enough members yet, you'll want to create a Free-Space Project as a placeholder to start organizing. Then post to G2G. Simply say what you're thinking about, link to the Free-Space Project, and ask if anyone would be interested in joining you or if they have any suggestions. Be sure to tag the post with projects.
Mention it on the Project Leader email list too, with a link to the G2G post. It also doesn't hurt to mention your idea anywhere that genealogists with an interest in the topic gather. For example, if you were thinking about a project on Texas genealogy you might reach out to historical societies, forums, or e-mail lists for Texan genealogists. You may find other WikiTreers in these forums, or genealogists who would join WikiTree if there was a Texas project.
Once you have enough members, move on to question #6.
Question #6: Have you contacted Leader Help?
Contact Leader Help with the information you've gathered in the steps above. Thank you!