diff --git a/CHANGELOG-3.5.md b/CHANGELOG-3.5.md
index e9f815e12e3..656679a7e2d 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG-3.5.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG-3.5.md
@@ -102,6 +102,9 @@ Note that any `etcd_debugging_*` metrics are experimental and subject to change.
- Require [*Go 1.13+*](https://github.com/etcd-io/etcd/pull/11110).
- Compile with [*Go 1.13*](https://golang.org/doc/devel/release.html#go1.13)
+### Project Governance
+
+- The etcd team has added, a well defined and openly discussed, project [governance](https://github.com/etcd-io/etcd/pull/11175).
diff --git a/GOVERNANCE.md b/GOVERNANCE.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..a0a6a290e56
--- /dev/null
+++ b/GOVERNANCE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+# etcd Governance
+
+## Principles
+
+The etcd community adheres to the following principles:
+
+- Open: etcd is open source.
+- Welcoming and respectful: See [Code of Conduct](code-of-conduct.md).
+- Transparent and accessible: Changes to the etcd code repository and CNCF related
+activities (e.g. level, involvement, etc) are done in public.
+- Merit: Ideas and contributions are accepted according to their technical merit for
+the betterment of the project. For specific guidance on practical contribution steps
+please see [CONTRIBUTING](./CONTRIBUTING.md) guide.
+
+## Maintainers
+
+[Maintainers](./MAINTAINERS) are first and foremost contributors that have shown they
+are committed to the long term success of a project. Maintainership is about building
+trust with the current maintainers of the project and being a person that they can
+depend on to make decisions in the best interest of the project in a consistent manner.
+The maintainers role can be a top-level or restricted to certain package/feature
+depending upon their commitment in fulfilling the expected responsibilities as explained
+below.
+
+### Top-level maintainer
+
+- Running the etcd release processes
+- Ownership of test and debug infrastructure
+- Triage GitHub issues to keep the issue count low (goal: under 100)
+- Regularly review GitHub pull requests across all pkgs
+- Providing cross pkg design review
+- Monitor email aliases
+- Participate when called upon in the [security disclosure and release process](security/README.md)
+- General project maintenance
+
+### Package/feature maintainer
+
+- Ownership of test and debug failures in a pkg/feature
+- Resolution of bugs triaged to a package/feature
+- Regularly review pull requests to the pkg subsystem
+
+Contributors who are interested in becoming a maintainer, if performing these
+responsibilities, should discuss their interest with the existing maintainers. New
+maintainers must be nominated by an existing maintainer and must be elected by a
+supermajority of maintainers. Likewise, maintainers can be removed by a supermajority
+of the maintainers and moved to emeritus status.
+
+Life priorities, interests, and passions can change. If a maintainer needs to step
+down, inform other maintainers about this intention, and if possible, help find someone
+to pick up the related work. At the very least, ensure the related work can be continued.
+Afterward, create a pull request to remove yourself from the [MAINTAINERS](./MAINTAINERS)
+file.
+
+## Reviewers
+
+[Reviewers](./MAINTAINERS) are contributors who have demonstrated greater skill in
+reviewing the code contribution from other contributors. Their LGTM counts towards
+merging a code change into the project. A reviewer is generally on the ladder towards
+maintainership. New reviewers must be nominated by an existing maintainer and must be
+elected by a supermajority of maintainers. Likewise, reviewers can be removed by a
+supermajority of the maintainers or can resign by notifying the maintainers.
+
+## Decision making process
+
+Decisions are built on consensus between maintainers publicly. Proposals and ideas
+can either be submitted for agreement via a GitHub issue or PR, or by sending an email
+to `etcd-maintainers@googlegroups.com`.
+
+## Conflict resolution
+
+In general, we prefer that technical issues and maintainer membership are amicably
+worked out between the persons involved. However, any technical dispute that has
+reached an impasse with a subset of the community, any contributor may open a GitHub
+issue or PR or send an email to `etcd-maintainers@googlegroups.com`. If the
+maintainers themselves cannot decide an issue, the issue will be resolved by a
+supermajority of the maintainers.
+
+## Changes in Governance
+
+Changes in project governance could be initiated by opening a GitHub PR.
diff --git a/MAINTAINERS b/MAINTAINERS
index 541e03ee5fd..b42a28e5354 100644
--- a/MAINTAINERS
+++ b/MAINTAINERS
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
-# This is the official list of etcd maintainers.
+# The official list of maintainers and reviewers for the project maintenance.
+#
+# Refer to the GOVERNANCE.md for description of the roles.
#
# Names should be added to this file like so:
# Individual's name (@GITHUB_HANDLE) pkg:*
@@ -6,6 +8,7 @@
#
# Please keep the list sorted.
+# MAINTAINERS
Brandon Philips (@philips) pkg:*
Gyuho Lee (@gyuho) pkg:*
Hitoshi Mitake (@mitake) pkg:*
@@ -18,3 +21,5 @@ Xiang Li (@xiang90) pkg:*
Ben Darnell (@bdarnell) pkg:go.etcd.io/etcd/raft
Tobias Grieger (@tbg) pkg:go.etcd.io/etcd/raft
+# REVIEWERS
+Wenjia Zhang (@wenjiaswe) pkg:*
diff --git a/MAINTAINERS_RULES.md b/MAINTAINERS_RULES.md
deleted file mode 100644
index d39d69fc7b4..00000000000
--- a/MAINTAINERS_RULES.md
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,16 +0,0 @@
-
-This document describes basic expectations for maintainers. To become a maintainer, start taking on these responsibilities. Consistent contributors then discuss with existing maintainers to become the official [MAINTAINERS](./MAINTAINERS).
-
-### Top-level maintainer
-
-- Running the etcd release processes
-- Ownership of test and debug infrastructure
-- Resolve or redirect issues to keep the issue count low (goal: under 100)
-- Regularly review pull requests across all pkgs
-- Providing cross pkg design review
-
-### Package/feature maintainer
-
-- Ownership of test and debug failures in a pkg/feature
-- Resolution of bugs triaged to a package/feature
-- Regularly review pull requests to the pkg subsystem
diff --git a/OWNERS b/OWNERS
deleted file mode 100644
index 410efd09546..00000000000
--- a/OWNERS
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,20 +0,0 @@
-approvers:
-- heyitsanthony
-- philips
-- fanminshi
-- gyuho
-- mitake
-- jpbetz
-- xiang90
-- hexfusion
-reviewers:
-- heyitsanthony
-- philips
-- fanminshi
-- gyuho
-- mitake
-- jpbetz
-- xiang90
-- wenjiaswe
-- jingyih
-- hexfusion