Posscon OSS Project Lifecycle

The Project Lifecycle How to Succeed

Paula Hunter, Executive DirectorOutercurve Foundation

Outline

• Lifecycle• Functional needs• How to succeed• How foundations can help

Project Lifecycle

Concept

Launch

Build Community

Sustain Support

Adoption

Project Lifecycle

Concept

Launch

Build Community

Sustain Support

Adoption

An Idea is bornPrototype Share ideas

Project Lifecycle

Concept

Launch

Build Community

Sustain Support

Adoption

Go public with projectLook for input / participationShare code

Project Lifecycle

Concept

Launch

Build Community

Sustain Support

Adoption

Looking for a few good codersAppoint committersIdentify gaps in code and coders

Project Lifecycle

Concept

Launch

Build Community

Sustain Support

Adoption

DocumentationForums“Commercial” Support?

Project Lifecycle

Concept

Launch

Build Community

Sustain Support

Adoption

People/companies are using the codeNew features, bug fixes Creating a business?

Wash, Rinse, Repeat!

Concept

Launch

Build Community

Sustain Support

Adoption

People/companies are using the codeNew features, bug fixes Creating a business?

DocumentationForums“Commercial” Support?

Looking for a few good codersAppoint committersIdentify gaps in code and coders

Go public with projectLook for input / participationShare code

An Idea is bornPrototype Share ideas

Typical OSS Project

Project Leader

Project Committer(s)

Project Contributor(s)

Typical Software Company

CEO

Product Management

Product Requirements, Pipeline, Customer

feedback

Engineering

Development, QA

Sales and Marketing

Market and sell product, increase adoption, engage

customers

Services and Support

Installation and deployment, support,

bug reporting

IT, Operations, Legal and Finance

Manage company operations, finances,

and infrastructure

How to Succeed

• Concept– Development environment– Forge– License and contribution mechanism– Code certifications– Co-conspirator and/or mentor

Typical OSS Project

Project Leader

Project Committer(s)

Project Contributor(s)

How to Succeed

• Launch– Name (please do a search!)• http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/index.jsp

– Domain– Website– Branding – what do you want to convey?

Fun? Innovative? Serious? Altruistic?

– Social media “plan”– App Stores – apply early

Typical OSS Project

Project Leader

Project Committer(s)

Project Contributor(s)

How to Succeed

• Build Community– Project awareness (see social media)– Engage developers (proactively)– Groom committers, contributors, testers– Document project management philosophy• IP management and oversight

– Utilize forums, wiki, mailing list– Host meet-ups– Celebrate success and say thank you!

Typical OSS Project

Project Leader

Project Committer(s)

Project Contributor(s)

How to Succeed

• Sustain Support– Set expectations (not everyone understands the

OSS Ethos)– Prepare documentation (you may need to pay

someone, or create bounties)– Respond to bug fixes and patches even if you

don’t intend to implement them– Charge if necessary (a business opportunity)

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Project Leader

Project Committer(s)

Project Contributor(s)

How to Succeed

• Adoption– Use will enhance the project– Have a feedback loop for non-developers– Can you sustain more iterations?– Do you have a succession plan?

Looking Better?

CEO

Product Management

Product Requirements, Pipeline, Customer

feedback

Engineering

Development, QA

Sales and Marketing

Market and sell product, increase adoption, engage

customers

Services and Support

Installation and deployment, support,

bug reporting

IT, Operations, Legal and Finance

Manage company operations, finances,

and infrastructure

How Foundations Can Help

• Operations• Governance• Legal• Finance• Marketing• Mentorship

Types of OSS Non-Profits

Examples

Positive Attributes

Negative Attributes

Sponsor Driven

Fedora, OpenSuSe

Sponsor has highest level of controlFocused projectsWell understood brand

Sponsor Primary source of fundsNarrow technology focusSmaller potential communityResponsible for complete process

Mix of Sponsors

and Community

Linux FoundationEclipse Foundation

Outercurve Foundation

InclusionaryRevenue mix not tied to one member or sponsorBroader technology focus

More complex operationallyMay dictate license and/or development methodologyExpensive

Community Driven

ApacheGnome

InclusiveLow operating costsStrong volunteer ethic

Dependent on volunteers for adminLess structure

What to Consider Re: Foundations

• Governance• Development Methodology• Forge• Technology Focus• IP Management• Services

Outercurve Foundation Provides Staffing and Services Throughout the Project Lifecycle

Concept

• Counsel on best practices for licensing, code assignment, and contribution agreements

• IP management and oversight

• Project guidelines for getting started, how to get involved and contribute.

Launch

• Launch program tailored to the project audience(s), including integrated PR and Social Media campaigns

• Code signing certificates

• Project mailing lists and administrative resources

• Project dashboard

• Provide branding elements for project websites

Build Community

• Establish project management process

• Forums and blogs - use Outercurve.org and feed our home page for greater exposure, tap into our ongoing dialog with the community

• Support and fund developer events

• Indemnify project committers

• Establish a facility to collect and distribute project level donations and bounties

Sustain Support

• Gallery and project sponsors provide 3 year commitment

• Project mentorship available

• Education and promotion of IP management and development process

• Project committers can serve on Technical Advisory Board

• OC Wiki

Adoption

• Provide tools and templates to guide project leads to successful adoption of the project

• Promote major milestones and releases

Lessons Learned

• Naming, TM issues, Domain acquisition• Application Stores and Developer programs• Change in community / leadership• Project users unfamiliar with OSS ethos• No support

Questions?phunter@outercurve.org

@huntermktwww.outercurve.org