diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index b10927ba..34fd6ebd 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -3,23 +3,25 @@
 
 <!-- choose one -->
 **Type of change**:
-- [ ] bug fix
-- [ ] new feature
-- [ ] other enhancement
+- [ ] Bug fix
+- [ ] New feature
+- [ ] Other enhancement
 
 <!-- choose one -->
 **Impact**:
-- [ ] rtl change
-- [ ] software change
-- [ ] unknown
-- [ ] other
+- [ ] RTL change
+- [ ] Software change (RISC-V software)
+- [ ] Build system change
+- [ ] Other
 
-<!-- choose one -->
-**Contributer Checklist**:
+<!-- must be filled out completely to be considered for merging -->
+**Contributor Checklist**:
+- [ ] Yes, I specified the "Type of Change"
+- [ ] Yes, I specified the "Impact"
 - [ ] Did you set `dev` as the base branch?
-- [ ] Did you add documentation for the feature?
-- [ ] Did you add a test demonstrating the PR?
 - [ ] Did you delete any extraneous prints/debugging code?
+- [ ] (If applicable) Did you add documentation for the feature?
+- [ ] (If applicable) Did you add a test demonstrating the PR?
 <!-- Do this if this PR is a bug fix that should be applied to master -->
 - [ ] (If applicable) Did you mark the PR as "Please Backport"?