====== Wikipedia Dispute Resolution ======

[[https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q52|Wikipedia on Wikidata]]

Wikipedia has a multi-tiered dispute resolution system for resolving conflicts between editors. This page documents the key processes using BPMN models.

===== Overview =====

Wikipedia's dispute resolution system is designed to handle conflicts at multiple levels, from informal discussion to formal arbitration. The process encourages resolution at the lowest level possible before escalating to more formal mechanisms.

===== Dispute Resolution Overview Process =====

This BPMN model shows the overall flow of dispute resolution on Wikipedia, from initial conflict through escalation to the Arbitration Committee.

<bpmnio type="bpmn">
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<definitions xmlns="http://www.omg.org/spec/BPMN/20100524/MODEL" xmlns:bpmndi="http://www.omg.org/spec/BPMN/20100524/DI" xmlns:dc="http://www.omg.org/spec/DD/20100524/DC" xmlns:di="http://www.omg.org/spec/DD/20100524/DI" id="definitions_1" targetNamespace="http://bpmn.io/schema/bpmn">
  <process id="wp_dispute_overview" name="Wikipedia Dispute Resolution Overview" isExecutable="false">
    <startEvent id="start1" name="Dispute arises between editors">
      <outgoing>flow1</outgoing>
    </startEvent>
    <task id="task1" name="Attempt direct discussion on Talk Page">
      <incoming>flow1</incoming>
      <outgoing>flow2</outgoing>
    </task>
    <exclusiveGateway id="gw1" name="Resolved?">
      <incoming>flow2</incoming>
      <outgoing>flow3</outgoing>
      <outgoing>flow4</outgoing>
    </exclusiveGateway>
    <endEvent id="end1" name="Dispute resolved informally">
      <incoming>flow3</incoming>
    </endEvent>
    <task id="task2" name="Seek Third Opinion (3O) or Editor Assistance">
      <incoming>flow4</incoming>
      <outgoing>flow5</outgoing>
    </task>
    <exclusiveGateway id="gw2" name="Resolved?">
      <incoming>flow5</incoming>
      <outgoing>flow6</outgoing>
      <outgoing>flow7</outgoing>
    </exclusiveGateway>
    <endEvent id="end2" name="Dispute resolved with third-party help">
      <incoming>flow6</incoming>
    </endEvent>
    <task id="task3" name="Request formal Mediation or go to Dispute Resolution Noticeboard">
      <incoming>flow7</incoming>
      <outgoing>flow8</outgoing>
    </task>
    <exclusiveGateway id="gw3" name="Resolved?">
      <incoming>flow8</incoming>
      <outgoing>flow9</outgoing>
      <outgoing>flow10</outgoing>
    </exclusiveGateway>
    <endEvent id="end3" name="Dispute resolved via mediation/DRN">
      <incoming>flow9</incoming>
    </endEvent>
    <task id="task4" name="File Request for Arbitration (ArbCom)">
      <incoming>flow10</incoming>
      <outgoing>flow11</outgoing>
    </task>
    <exclusiveGateway id="gw4" name="Case accepted?">
      <incoming>flow11</incoming>
      <outgoing>flow12</outgoing>
      <outgoing>flow13</outgoing>
    </exclusiveGateway>
    <task id="task5" name="ArbCom conducts hearing and issues decision">
      <incoming>flow12</incoming>
      <outgoing>flow14</outgoing>
    </task>
    <endEvent id="end4" name="Dispute resolved by ArbCom decision">
      <incoming>flow14</incoming>
    </endEvent>
    <endEvent id="end5" name="Case declined - editors directed to other processes">
      <incoming>flow13</incoming>
    </endEvent>
    <sequenceFlow id="flow1" sourceRef="start1" targetRef="task1" />
    <sequenceFlow id="flow2" sourceRef="task1" targetRef="gw1" />
    <sequenceFlow id="flow3" name="Yes" sourceRef="gw1" targetRef="end1" />
    <sequenceFlow id="flow4" name="No" sourceRef="gw1" targetRef="task2" />
    <sequenceFlow id="flow5" sourceRef="task2" targetRef="gw2" />
    <sequenceFlow id="flow6" name="Yes" sourceRef="gw2" targetRef="end2" />
    <sequenceFlow id="flow7" name="No" sourceRef="gw2" targetRef="task3" />
    <sequenceFlow id="flow8" sourceRef="task3" targetRef="gw3" />
    <sequenceFlow id="flow9" name="Yes" sourceRef="gw3" targetRef="end3" />
    <sequenceFlow id="flow10" name="No" sourceRef="gw3" targetRef="task4" />
    <sequenceFlow id="flow11" sourceRef="task4" targetRef="gw4" />
    <sequenceFlow id="flow12" name="Yes" sourceRef="gw4" targetRef="task5" />
    <sequenceFlow id="flow13" name="No" sourceRef="gw4" targetRef="end5" />
    <sequenceFlow id="flow14" sourceRef="task5" targetRef="end4" />
  </process>
  <bpmndi:BPMNDiagram id="BPMNDiagram_1">
    <bpmndi:BPMNPlane id="BPMNPlane_1" bpmnElement="wp_dispute_overview">
      <bpmndi:BPMNShape id="start1_di" bpmnElement="start1">
        <dc:Bounds x="152" y="192" width="36" height="36" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="127" y="235" width="86" height="27" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNShape>
      <bpmndi:BPMNShape id="task1_di" bpmnElement="task1">
        <dc:Bounds x="240" y="170" width="100" height="80" />
      </bpmndi:BPMNShape>
      <bpmndi:BPMNShape id="gw1_di" bpmnElement="gw1" isMarkerVisible="true">
        <dc:Bounds x="395" y="185" width="50" height="50" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="396" y="161" width="48" height="14" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNShape>
      <bpmndi:BPMNShape id="end1_di" bpmnElement="end1">
        <dc:Bounds x="402" y="302" width="36" height="36" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="382" y="345" width="76" height="27" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNShape>
      <bpmndi:BPMNShape id="task2_di" bpmnElement="task2">
        <dc:Bounds x="500" y="170" width="100" height="80" />
      </bpmndi:BPMNShape>
      <bpmndi:BPMNShape id="gw2_di" bpmnElement="gw2" isMarkerVisible="true">
        <dc:Bounds x="655" y="185" width="50" height="50" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="656" y="161" width="48" height="14" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNShape>
      <bpmndi:BPMNShape id="end2_di" bpmnElement="end2">
        <dc:Bounds x="662" y="302" width="36" height="36" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="637" y="345" width="86" height="27" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNShape>
      <bpmndi:BPMNShape id="task3_di" bpmnElement="task3">
        <dc:Bounds x="760" y="170" width="100" height="80" />
      </bpmndi:BPMNShape>
      <bpmndi:BPMNShape id="gw3_di" bpmnElement="gw3" isMarkerVisible="true">
        <dc:Bounds x="915" y="185" width="50" height="50" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="916" y="161" width="48" height="14" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNShape>
      <bpmndi:BPMNShape id="end3_di" bpmnElement="end3">
        <dc:Bounds x="922" y="302" width="36" height="36" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="897" y="345" width="86" height="27" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNShape>
      <bpmndi:BPMNShape id="task4_di" bpmnElement="task4">
        <dc:Bounds x="1020" y="170" width="100" height="80" />
      </bpmndi:BPMNShape>
      <bpmndi:BPMNShape id="gw4_di" bpmnElement="gw4" isMarkerVisible="true">
        <dc:Bounds x="1175" y="185" width="50" height="50" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="1163" y="161" width="74" height="14" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNShape>
      <bpmndi:BPMNShape id="task5_di" bpmnElement="task5">
        <dc:Bounds x="1280" y="170" width="100" height="80" />
      </bpmndi:BPMNShape>
      <bpmndi:BPMNShape id="end4_di" bpmnElement="end4">
        <dc:Bounds x="1432" y="192" width="36" height="36" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="1407" y="235" width="86" height="27" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNShape>
      <bpmndi:BPMNShape id="end5_di" bpmnElement="end5">
        <dc:Bounds x="1182" y="302" width="36" height="36" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="1157" y="345" width="86" height="40" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNShape>
      <bpmndi:BPMNEdge id="flow1_di" bpmnElement="flow1">
        <di:waypoint x="188" y="210" />
        <di:waypoint x="240" y="210" />
      </bpmndi:BPMNEdge>
      <bpmndi:BPMNEdge id="flow2_di" bpmnElement="flow2">
        <di:waypoint x="340" y="210" />
        <di:waypoint x="395" y="210" />
      </bpmndi:BPMNEdge>
      <bpmndi:BPMNEdge id="flow3_di" bpmnElement="flow3">
        <di:waypoint x="420" y="235" />
        <di:waypoint x="420" y="302" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="426" y="263" width="18" height="14" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNEdge>
      <bpmndi:BPMNEdge id="flow4_di" bpmnElement="flow4">
        <di:waypoint x="445" y="210" />
        <di:waypoint x="500" y="210" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="465" y="192" width="15" height="14" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNEdge>
      <bpmndi:BPMNEdge id="flow5_di" bpmnElement="flow5">
        <di:waypoint x="600" y="210" />
        <di:waypoint x="655" y="210" />
      </bpmndi:BPMNEdge>
      <bpmndi:BPMNEdge id="flow6_di" bpmnElement="flow6">
        <di:waypoint x="680" y="235" />
        <di:waypoint x="680" y="302" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="686" y="263" width="18" height="14" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNEdge>
      <bpmndi:BPMNEdge id="flow7_di" bpmnElement="flow7">
        <di:waypoint x="705" y="210" />
        <di:waypoint x="760" y="210" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="725" y="192" width="15" height="14" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNEdge>
      <bpmndi:BPMNEdge id="flow8_di" bpmnElement="flow8">
        <di:waypoint x="860" y="210" />
        <di:waypoint x="915" y="210" />
      </bpmndi:BPMNEdge>
      <bpmndi:BPMNEdge id="flow9_di" bpmnElement="flow9">
        <di:waypoint x="940" y="235" />
        <di:waypoint x="940" y="302" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="946" y="263" width="18" height="14" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNEdge>
      <bpmndi:BPMNEdge id="flow10_di" bpmnElement="flow10">
        <di:waypoint x="965" y="210" />
        <di:waypoint x="1020" y="210" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="985" y="192" width="15" height="14" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNEdge>
      <bpmndi:BPMNEdge id="flow11_di" bpmnElement="flow11">
        <di:waypoint x="1120" y="210" />
        <di:waypoint x="1175" y="210" />
      </bpmndi:BPMNEdge>
      <bpmndi:BPMNEdge id="flow12_di" bpmnElement="flow12">
        <di:waypoint x="1225" y="210" />
        <di:waypoint x="1280" y="210" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="1245" y="192" width="18" height="14" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNEdge>
      <bpmndi:BPMNEdge id="flow13_di" bpmnElement="flow13">
        <di:waypoint x="1200" y="235" />
        <di:waypoint x="1200" y="302" />
        <bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
          <dc:Bounds x="1206" y="263" width="15" height="14" />
        </bpmndi:BPMNLabel>
      </bpmndi:BPMNEdge>
      <bpmndi:BPMNEdge id="flow14_di" bpmnElement="flow14">
        <di:waypoint x="1380" y="210" />
        <di:waypoint x="1432" y="210" />
      </bpmndi:BPMNEdge>
    </bpmndi:BPMNPlane>
  </bpmndi:BPMNDiagram>
</definitions>
</bpmnio>

===== Detailed Process Models =====

Each stage of Wikipedia's dispute resolution system is documented with its own detailed BPMN model:

  * [[wikipedia_dr_talk_page|Talk Page Discussion]] - The first step: direct editor-to-editor discussion
  * [[wikipedia_dr_third_opinion|Third Opinion (3O)]] - Requesting an uninvolved editor's perspective
  * [[wikipedia_dr_noticeboard|Dispute Resolution Noticeboard (DRN)]] - Structured volunteer-assisted dispute resolution
  * [[wikipedia_dr_mediation|Mediation (Informal and Formal)]] - Mediation Committee facilitated resolution
  * [[wikipedia_dr_arbitration|Arbitration (ArbCom)]] - Binding decisions from the Arbitration Committee
  * [[wikipedia_dr_admin_intervention|Administrator Intervention]] - Admin actions for policy violations during disputes

===== Process Components =====

==== Actors ====

  * **Disputing Editors**: Editors who disagree on content or conduct
  * **Uninvolved Editors**: Community members providing third opinions
  * **DRN Volunteers**: Experienced editors facilitating noticeboard discussions
  * **Mediators**: Members of the Mediation Committee
  * **Administrators**: Editors with special privileges to enforce policy
  * **Arbitration Committee (ArbCom)**: Elected body with final decision authority

==== Key Policies ====

  * [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Dispute_resolution|WP:DR]] - Dispute Resolution overview
  * [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Consensus|WP:CONSENSUS]] - Consensus policy
  * [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Civility|WP:CIVILITY]] - Civility policy
  * [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Assume_good_faith|WP:AGF]] - Assume Good Faith
  * [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:No_personal_attacks|WP:NPA]] - No Personal Attacks

===== Cross References =====

  * [[complaints_and_issues|Complaints and Issues]]
  * [[categories|Categories]]

===== Categories =====

Dispute Resolution, Wikipedia, Online Governance, Community Processes