Oss project management - fossa2010
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While some claim there is no management in free and open source software projects, the document argues that project management is still important for coordination, organization, planning, and motivation. It discusses how open source projects are started and transitioned, and some of the challenges for sustaining development, such as attracting and managing volunteers, documentation, and dealing with corporate involvement. The document advocates for different project management styles and coordination in open source projects while respecting their distributed and voluntary nature.
Oss project management - fossa2010
- 1. Project Management in Free Software Projects Martin Michlmayr Hewlett-Packard tbm@hp.com Martin Michlmayr Project Management in Free Software Projects
- 2. Project Management in Free Software Some claim that there is no management in FOSS There is only self-coordination and self-assignment of tasks True to some extent – but not the whole picture Decrease of coordination requirements is good But coordination is still needed Martin Michlmayr Project Management in Free Software Projects
- 3. Seriously, what is “Project Management” anyway? Leadership Coordination Organization Planning Motivation It’s important to know ones limits! Project management also important for developers Martin Michlmayr Project Management in Free Software Projects
- 4. What is an “open source” project? “Open Source” and “FOSS” really just refer to a license The classical model: distributed (global), done by volunteers Now it’s not so clear anymore (Figure by James Howison) Martin Michlmayr Project Management in Free Software Projects
- 5. Starting a Project It’s easy to start a project (see SourceForge) Duplication of effort NIH (Not Invented Here) Choice of programming language Underestimation of effort Legal questions (e.g. license) Competition might be good Martin Michlmayr Project Management in Free Software Projects
- 6. Cathedral vs Bazaar – or Cathedral and Bazaar Raymond’s Bazaar model Thousands of contributors Peer review You cannot start a project in the bazaar Logical conclusion: migration from cathedral to bazaar Martin Michlmayr Project Management in Free Software Projects
- 7. Transition You have to: attract the interest of others give them control coordinate make it fun! Martin Michlmayr Project Management in Free Software Projects
- 8. Sustained Development Documentation Attracting volunteers Joining a project, group etiquette Infrastructure Quality assurance, release management Martin Michlmayr Project Management in Free Software Projects
- 9. Management Different management styles Do coordinate Ask people in private, not on mailing lists Know your people: what they’re good at, what their personal circumstances are Getting rid of people (incompetent, trolls, inactive, busy) Mentoring people Martin Michlmayr Project Management in Free Software Projects
- 10. Real Life Meetings developer/hack sessions: can be effective social/pub: can be motivating Downsides: not everyone can participate Write minutes Do not make major decisions in real life Martin Michlmayr Project Management in Free Software Projects
- 11. Corporate Involvement Paid people vs volunteers How can your project benefit from corporate involvement? And how do they benefit? Create a win-win situation Martin Michlmayr Project Management in Free Software Projects
- 12. Foreseeing Problems Growth Control Dependence on core maintainer: run over a bus, growing up, letting lose Inactive and incompetent volunteers Martin Michlmayr Project Management in Free Software Projects
- 13. Conclusions Ask many questions Do you need to start a project? How can you get involved in an existing one? What can you do? What are they lacking? Coordination is important Self-coordination too Look at other projects Be a good example! Martin Michlmayr Project Management in Free Software Projects