Overview
This article contains the top ten most important things for speeding up your raids.
It is a condensed version of PULL! A Guide to Faster Raids
Guide
10. DPS-spec'd plate can tank
You can run with 2-3 tank-spec'd players and have extra tanks for trash if you just ask your tank hybrids to wear their tank gear during trash and help pick up mobs.
9. Don't ignore repeated mistakes
While you don't need to rant and rage over each minor error, don't let repeated screwups be ignored. No one likes "that guy" who doesn't care enough to pay attention and causes wipes to the same stuff each week -- say something to him.
8. Have fun
No one will want to raid if you suck the fun out of it
7. Don't be afraid to wipe
You will wipe when first pushing your limits, that's fine. Don't make a big deal about it (unless it was a repeated stupid mistake -- see #9), just pick up and continue.
6. Don't stop for deaths/rebuffing
Unless you lost a significant portion of the raid, there's no reason not to resurrect the 1-2 people who died and just rebuff on the fly.
There's no raid buff so critical that you can't do trash without it.
5. Set goals
Set goals for clear times each week.
If you prefer to set your targets by wing/subsection, you can use the in-game stopwatch (/sw) to track it in real time.
4. Plan AFK breaks
When people know one is coming, they will wait. This reduces the constant revolving door of AFK's.
3. Be impatient
Always be pulling more trash if healers have enough mana and there aren't too many people dead (using an add-on to see health/mana status.)
2. Fast Loot
Even at "only" 5 minutes per boss in Naxx, you will spend a full hour on loot in an 12-boss dungeon.
Use Master Looter if you can't make fast decisions, so at least the raid can continue clearing.
1. Delegate
The buck stops with you, but don't do all the work.