diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/convergence_epic.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/convergence_epic.md
index ca5b1b2522ffe..6aaa5dc4f55a6 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/convergence_epic.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/convergence_epic.md
@@ -1,48 +1,51 @@
 ---
-name: (internal) Component convergence epic
-about: (team member use only) Epic issue tracking convergence of a particular component
+name: (internal) Component implementation epic
+about: (team member use only) Epic issue tracking implementation of a particular component
 ---
 
 <!--
 These issues are used by core contributors to track the list of items that should be
-completed as part of converging a component. More info can be found here: https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Component-Convergence-Guide
+completed as part of creating a v9 component. More info can be found here: https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Component-Implementation-Guide
 -->
 
-## Preparation:
+💡 When you create a PR for any of the checklist items, add a link to this Epic under the PR's **Related Issues** section.
 
-- [ ] Open UI Research
+## Preparation
+
+- [ ] [Open UI Research](https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Component-Implementation-Guide#open-ui-research)
   - [link to https://open-ui.org/]
-- [ ] Open GitHub issues related to component
+- [ ] [Open GitHub issues related to component](https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Component-Implementation-Guide#find-open-issues-on-github)
   - [link to each issue]
-- [ ] react-\* package scaffolded with the right ownership in CODEOWNERS
-  - [link to package / PR]
-- [ ] Component Spec authored and reviewed
-  - [link to spec in component package / PR]
+- [ ] [Create react-\* package and component from template](https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Component-Implementation-Guide#component-package)
+  - [link to package: https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/tree/master/packages/react-components/react-(your-component)]
+- [ ] (Optional) [Draft implementation](https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Component-Implementation-Guide#draft-implementation)
+  - [link to draft implementation, if applicable]
+- [ ] [Component Spec authored](https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Component-Implementation-Guide#component-spec) and [reviewed](https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Component-Implementation-Guide#spec-review)
 
 ## Implementation
 
-[link to react-* package folder]
-
-- [ ] Component implementation
-  - [link(s) to component implementation related PRs]
-- [ ] Storybook stories
-  - [link(s) to stories PRs]
-- [ ] Add tests: Conformance, Unit, and VR -- add PRs to all
-  - [ ] Bundle size fixtures
-  - [ ] Conformance tests
-  - [ ] Unit tests
-  - [ ] VR tests
-  - [ ] Accessibility behavior tests
-  - [ ] Create an issue and run [manual accessibility tests](https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Manual-Accessibility-Review-Checklist): (issue link)
-  - [ ] Performance test scenario
-- [ ] README.md covering basic usage
-- [ ] MIGRATION.md guide (include v8 and v0)
+- [ ] [Component implementation](https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Component-Implementation-Guide#implementation)
+- [ ] Initial conformance and unit tests (validate basic functionality)
+- [ ] [Initial documentation](https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Component-Implementation-Guide#documentation)
+  - [ ] [Storybook stories](https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Component-Implementation-Guide#storybook-stories)
+  - [ ] README.md covering basic usage
+  - [ ] MIGRATION.md guide (include v8 and v0)
+- [ ] [Component released as unstable](https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Component-Implementation-Guide#unstable-release) from `@fluentui/react-components/unstable`
 
 ## Validation
 
-- [ ] Add and validate in UI Builder
-- [ ] Add and validate in docs site
-- [ ] Validate with token pipeline
-- [ ] Validate in product
-- [ ] Finalize migration guide
-  - [ ] Author codemods
+- [ ] [Add tests](https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Component-Implementation-Guide#tests)
+  - [ ] Unit and conformance tests
+  - [ ] VR tests
+  - [ ] Bundle size fixtures
+  - [ ] Performance test scenario
+  - [ ] Accessibility behavior tests
+  - [ ] Create an issue and run [manual accessibility tests](https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Manual-Accessibility-Review-Checklist): [link to issue]
+- [ ] [Validate with partners](https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Component-Implementation-Guide#validation)
+- [ ] [Finalize documentation](https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Component-Implementation-Guide#finalize-documentation)
+  - [ ] Review and add any missing storybook stories
+  - [ ] Finalize migration guide
+- [ ] [Component released as stable](https://github.com/microsoft/fluentui/wiki/Component-Implementation-Guide#stable-release) from `@fluentui/react-components`
+  - [ ] Ensure exports are removed from from `@fluentui/react-components/unstable`
+  - [ ] In package.json: Remove the alpha/beta tag from the version number in package.json
+  - [ ] In package.json: Change beachball's `disallowedChangeTypes` to `"major", "prerelease"`