diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index 9561f2658..1d5fbec2d 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -2,13 +2,18 @@
 
 What issue is this PR targeting? If there is no issue that addresses the problem, please open a corresponding issue and link it here.
 
+Please read our [documentation](https://github.com/Project-OSRM/osrm-backend/blob/master/docs/releasing.md) on release and version management.
+If your PR is still work in progress please attach the relevant label.
+
 ## Tasklist
- - [ ] ADD OWN TASKS HERE
+
  - [ ] CHANGELOG.md entry ([How to write a changelog entry](http://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/#how))
  - [ ] update relevant [Wiki pages](https://github.com/Project-OSRM/osrm-backend/wiki)
- - [ ] add regression / cucumber cases (see docs/testing.md)
+ - [ ] add tests (see [testing documentation](https://github.com/Project-OSRM/osrm-backend/blob/master/docs/testing.md)
  - [ ] review
  - [ ] adjust for comments
+ - [ ] cherry pick to release branch
 
 ## Requirements / Relations
+
  Link any requirements here. Other pull requests this PR is based on?