Editing Encyclopedia:Stub (section)

==Stub types, WikiProjects, and assessment templates==
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[[File:M8WestStreetRamps.jpg|thumb|This stub really needs expansion.]]

When a new [[Wikipedia:WikiProject|WikiProject]] commences, one of the first things its creators often do is decide whether or not a specific [[Wikipedia:NEWSTUB|stub type]] should be created for it. Often there is no real problem, as WikiProject topics frequently coincide with subjects of specific stub types. On other occasions, there will be no specific stub type, and thus a new type should be proposed.

Occasionally, a WikiProject will seek to have a stub category which is too small, or a stub type which runs contrary to the way stubs are normally split. This can create conflict between that project and WikiProject Stub sorting, or, more importantly, between that one stub type and one or more ''other'' stub types. Even where there is an existing stub type, there may be conflict, as often the definition of a topic as used for stub sorting may not be identical to that used by its specific WikiProject. It should be remembered in cases like this that, while a specific WikiProject may be looking for a solution for its concerns, WikiProject Stub sorting is attempting to make a coherent and cohesive system that works for ''all'' editors. The system needs to be as compatible as possible with the needs of ''all'' WikiProjects, and also with the needs of casual editors, and others who are participants in any WikiProject.

[[Wikipedia:Assessment|Assessment templates]] are a way around this problem, and more often than not a far more useful tool for WikiProjects. Assessment templates have several distinct advantages over stub types for WikiProjects. The templates are placed on article talk pages, where they are less likely to be seen as controversial (the placing of stub templates on controversial articles has frequently been a source of [[Wikipedia:Edit warring|edit warring]]). They allow all articles within a topic area to be assessed and catalogued by a related project—not just stub articles. They allow an indication to be made of exactly what work needs to be done on an article. They also allow workgroups that are subgroups of WikiProjects to have their own specific templates that are better suited to their tasks.