How role archetypes are modelled

A Role may have one of three archetypes: legacy, future-ready or hybrid. A role without a classification has no archetype badge. These labels help organise the catalogue; they are separate from publication, verification and recognition.

An unset archetype means that no classification has been recorded. It is not a fourth archetype and does not by itself prevent publication.

The earlier role holds the successor link, which points to the next role in the proposed transformation. Read the direction as “this role is followed by that role”.

The successor is optional. Each role can point to one successor; a final destination may have none. Check the destination’s availability and status before using it in a comparison.

When a future-ready role is published, RPF checks its items for the required source citations. Authors must resolve the resulting validation messages before publication.

This check allows an incomplete proposal to be saved as a draft. Review the cited passages and their relevance before publishing; the presence of a citation does not validate its interpretation.

Legacy and hybrid roles are exempt from this particular publication check. Authors can still attach supporting citations, and should use appropriate evidence for their claims.

• An unclassified role appears without an archetype badge. Publication remains subject to the other applicable checks.
• A role should not name itself as its successor. Select a different role that represents the next step in the proposed sequence.
• A successor that is unavailable to the reader cannot provide a usable comparison. Review the link and the destination’s publication and access settings.
• Review the items included in the publication check and resolve any missing-citation messages. A citation in an unrelated draft does not establish support for the published role.
• Flipping archetype from legacy → future-ready on an existing published role re-runs the citation gate at the next publish; uncited items block the flip until they carry citations or the items are removed.

Archetype and successor values can change as a role is revised. When documenting a comparison, record the roles, versions and date used.