diff --git a/.github/pull_request_template.md b/.github/pull_request_template.md
index 55eb891..51e18bc 100644
--- a/.github/pull_request_template.md
+++ b/.github/pull_request_template.md
@@ -1,29 +1,23 @@
-Following this checklist to help us incorporate your 
+Following this checklist to help us incorporate your
 contribution quickly and easily:
 
- - [ ] Make sure there is a [JIRA issue](https://issues.apache.org/jira/browse/MRESOURCES) filed 
-       for the change (usually before you start working on it).  Trivial changes like typos do not 
-       require a JIRA issue.  Your pull request should address just this issue, without 
-       pulling in other changes.
- - [ ] Each commit in the pull request should have a meaningful subject line and body.
- - [ ] Format the pull request title like `[MRESOURCES-XXX] - Fixes bug in ApproximateQuantiles`,
-       where you replace `MRESOURCES-XXX` with the appropriate JIRA issue. Best practice
-       is to use the JIRA issue title in the pull request title and in the first line of the 
-       commit message.
- - [ ] Write a pull request description that is detailed enough to understand what the pull request does, how, and why.
- - [ ] Run `mvn clean verify` to make sure basic checks pass. A more thorough check will 
-       be performed on your pull request automatically.
- - [ ] You have run the integration tests successfully (`mvn -Prun-its clean verify`).
+- [ ] Your pull request should address just one issue, without pulling in other changes.
+- [ ] Write a pull request description that is detailed enough to understand what the pull request does, how, and why.
+- [ ] Each commit in the pull request should have a meaningful subject line and body.
+  Note that commits might be squashed by a maintainer on merge.
+- [ ] Write unit tests that match behavioral changes, where the tests fail if the changes to the runtime are not applied.
+  This may not always be possible but is a best-practice.
+- [ ] Run `mvn verify` to make sure basic checks pass.
+  A more thorough check will be performed on your pull request automatically.
+- [ ] You have run the integration tests successfully (`mvn -Prun-its verify`).
 
 If your pull request is about ~20 lines of code you don't need to sign an
 [Individual Contributor License Agreement](https://www.apache.org/licenses/icla.pdf) if you are unsure
 please ask on the developers list.
 
-To make clear that you license your contribution under 
+To make clear that you license your contribution under
 the [Apache License Version 2.0, January 2004](http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
 you have to acknowledge this by using the following check-box.
 
- - [ ] I hereby declare this contribution to be licenced under the [Apache License Version 2.0, January 2004](http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
-
- - [ ] In any other case, please file an [Apache Individual Contributor License Agreement](https://www.apache.org/licenses/icla.pdf).
-
+- [ ] I hereby declare this contribution to be licenced under the [Apache License Version 2.0, January 2004](http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0)
+- [ ] In any other case, please file an [Apache Individual Contributor License Agreement](https://www.apache.org/licenses/icla.pdf).