Many Ways to Move the Needle on Open Source

Nithya RuffDirector, Open Source Strategy@nithyaruff

Guy MartinDirector, Open Source Strategy@guyma

Talking Points• Sharing our experiences & perspectives

• Where is open source today?

• Why are more companies involved?

• Balancing corporate & open source interests

• Contribution is not just code

• Explore next frontier for moving the needle

• Propose ideas for getting involved

Something About Nithya

Open Source Work:SGI, Tripwire, Avaya, Intel

Something About Guy

Where is Open Source Software Today?

SanDisk Confidential

0200,000400,000600,000800,000

1,000,0001,200,0001,400,0001,600,0001,800,0002,000,000

2007 2009 2011 2013 2015

OPEN SOURCE PROJECTS

1

BLACK DUCKKNOWLEDGEBASE

100B lines of code10M people

SanDisk Confidential

More Standards Setting Happening in Open Source

5

SW and HW standards are being set through open source usage and adoption

SanDisk Confidential

Companies are Moving to a Strategic Use of OSS

6

Better use of R&D Dollars and TTM

Ecosystem Collaboration in Foundations

Open Source and Companies• Companies are: – Using open source tools & software– Developing products with open source– Hiring developers– Sponsoring projects, consortia, events

• Are we being run over by corporate interests?

Corporate Benefits to OSS• Pay for open source developers• Sponsor & advocate open source projects• Adopt open source code & methodologies• Showcase OSS value/safety for other companies• Create better communities & collaboration

Balance is Critical• Transparent project governance • Shared control & responsibility• Doing the right thing for the project & users • User groups & their input balance direction

Contribution Often Seen As ONLY Code

Code = influence Code = solving a problem

Code = project growth

But OSS Projects Also Need…

Next Contribution Frontier Inside Companies

Open Source Strategy Offices

Inner Source

Why Open Source Strategy Offices?

Companies can move their OSS needle by:

Stumbling along tactically, making mistakes

OR

Making a focused and cohesive investment

Open Source

Strategy Office

Culture

Communication

Collaboration

Competency

Contribution

Compliance

Role of the OSS Strategy Office

Corporate Benefits From OSS • Faster time to market• Long-term reduction in cost• Standard solutions for hard problems• New perspectives & diverse experiences/skills• Distribution of control/shared responsibilities

Inner Source to Move the Needle

The application of best practices, processes, culture and methodologies taken from the open source world and applied to internal software development and innovation efforts.

Why Inner-Source?

• Increased velocity• Improved code• Reduced costs• Increased innovation• Enhanced employee results

No context-shift when working with open source

Getting Your Company Started

• Educate internal stakeholders on OSS • Build a solid compliance process • Coordinate engagement with OSS• Advocate for OSS in product & tool decisions• Champion developer productivity

How to Get Involved

• Attend– Technical conferences– Meetups– IRC/Slack/etc.

How to Get Involved

• Participate– Pick an interesting project and dive in– Volunteer for the unglamorous jobs– Submit bug reports

How to Get Involved

• Educate– Write documentation/FAQs– Answer forum questions– Offer to mentor others

How to Get Involved

• Evangelize– Design a t-shirt– Write a blog or grant– Present at a conference

Things to Remember• OSS leadership is earned, not granted• Bring technical expertise to the table• Sustained value maintains leadership status

Humble Bold

Leadership != ControlMetrics != Leadership

Thank You!Nithya RuffDirector, Open Source Strategy@nithyaruff

Guy MartinDirector, Open Source Strategy@guyma

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