diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 02710cb..7653278 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ This documentation includes other articles of interest, include:
 4. [GridFS in Ruby](http://api.mongodb.org/ruby/current/file.GridFS.html).
 5. [Frequently Asked Questions](http://api.mongodb.org/ruby/current/file.FAQ.html).
 6. [History](http://api.mongodb.org/ruby/current/file.HISTORY.html).
+6. [Release plan](http://api.mongodb.org/ruby/current/file.RELEASES.html).
 7. [Credits](http://api.mongodb.org/ruby/current/file.CREDITS.html).
 
 Here's a quick code sample. Again, see the [MongoDB Ruby Tutorial](http://api.mongodb.org/ruby/current/file.TUTORIAL.html)
diff --git a/Rakefile b/Rakefile
index 7e93cb2..0c555c4 100644
--- a/Rakefile
+++ b/Rakefile
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ task :ydoc do
   require File.join(File.dirname(__FILE__), 'lib', 'mongo')
   out = File.join('ydoc', Mongo::VERSION)
   FileUtils.rm_rf('ydoc')
-  system "yardoc lib/**/*.rb lib/mongo/**/*.rb lib/bson/**/*.rb -e yard/yard_ext.rb -p yard/templates -o #{out} --title MongoRuby-#{Mongo::VERSION} --files docs/TUTORIAL.md,docs/GridFS.md,docs/FAQ.md,docs/REPLICA_SETS.md,docs/WRITE_CONCERN.md,docs/HISTORY.md,docs/CREDITS.md,docs/1.0_UPGRADE.md"
+  system "yardoc lib/**/*.rb lib/mongo/**/*.rb lib/bson/**/*.rb -e yard/yard_ext.rb -p yard/templates -o #{out} --title MongoRuby-#{Mongo::VERSION} --files docs/TUTORIAL.md,docs/GridFS.md,docs/FAQ.md,docs/REPLICA_SETS.md,docs/WRITE_CONCERN.md,docs/HISTORY.md,docs/CREDITS.md,docs/1.0_UPGRADE.md,docs/RELEASES.md"
 end
 
 namespace :bamboo do
diff --git a/docs/RELEASES.md b/docs/RELEASES.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9c2b6cf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/RELEASES.md
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+# MongoDB Ruby Driver Release Plan
+
+This is a description of a formalized release plan that will take effect
+with version 1.3.0.
+
+## Semantic versioning
+
+The most significant difference is that releases will now adhere to the conventions of
+[semantic versioning](http://semver.org). In particular, we will strictly abide by the
+following release rules:
+
+1. Patch versions of the driver (Z in x.y.Z) will be released only when backward-compatible bug fixes are introduced. A bug fix is defined as an internal change that fixes incorrect behavior.
+
+2. Minor versions (Y in x.Y.z) will be released if new, backward-compatible functionality is introduced to the public API.
+
+3. Major versions (X in X.y.z) will be incremented if any backward-incompatibl changes are introduced to the public API.
+
+This policy will clearly indicate to users when an upgrade may affect their code. As a side effect, version numbers will climb more quickly than before.
+
+
+## Release checklist
+
+Before each relese to Rubygems.org, the following steps will be taken:
+
+1. All driver tests will be run on Linux, OS X, and Windows via continuous integration system.
+
+2. HISTORY file will document all significant commits.
+
+3. Version number will be incremented per the semantic version spec described above.
+
+4. Appropriate branches and tags will be created in Git repository, as necessary.
+
+5. Docs will be updated to the latest version of the driver and posted [online](http://api.mongodb.org/ruby/current/index.html).