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How to be successful with your open source project across the lifecycle.
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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
