--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/man/gnats/states.texi	Mon Aug 13 09:20:48 2007 +0200
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+@node States
+@section States of Problem Reports
+
+@cindex life-cycle of a Problem Report
+@cindex states of Problem Reports
+@cindex Problem Report states
+@cindex automatic notification
+
+Each PR goes through a defined series of states between origination and
+closure.  The originator of a PR receives notification automatically of
+any state changes.
+
+@table @dfn
+@cindex @emph{open} state
+@cindex initial state (@dfn{open})
+@cindex state---@dfn{open}
+@item open
+The initial state of a Problem Report.  This means the PR has been filed
+and the responsible person(s) notified.
+
+@cindex @emph{analyzed} state
+@cindex state---@dfn{analyzed}
+@item analyzed
+The responsible person has analyzed the problem.  The analysis should
+contain a preliminary evaluation of the problem and an estimate of the
+amount of time and resources necessary to solve the problem.  It should
+also suggest possible workarounds.
+
+@cindex @emph{feedback} state
+@cindex state---@dfn{feedback}
+@item feedback
+The problem has been solved, and the originator has been given a patch
+or other fix.  The PR remains in this state until the originator
+acknowledges that the solution works.
+
+@cindex @emph{closed} state
+@cindex state---@dfn{closed}
+@cindex final state (@dfn{closed})
+@item closed
+A Problem Report is closed (``the bug stops here'') only when any
+changes have been integrated, documented, and tested, and the submitter
+has confirmed the solution.
+
+@cindex @emph{suspended} state
+@cindex state---@dfn{suspended}
+@item suspended
+Work on the problem has been postponed.  This happens if a timely
+solution is not possible or is not cost-effective at the present time.
+The PR continues to exist, though a solution is not being actively
+sought.  If the problem cannot be solved at all, it should be closed
+rather than suspended.
+@end table
+