project management in free software projectszack/teaching/1415/loglib/cours-09-talk-mgmt.pdf ·...

Project Management in Free Software Projects

Martin [email protected]

Martin Michlmayr Project Management in Free Software Projects

[email protected]

Project Management in Free Software

Some claim that there is no management in FOSSThere is only self-coordination and self-assignment oftasksTrue to some extent – but not the whole pictureDecrease of coordination requirements is goodBut coordination is still needed


Seriously, what is “Project Management” anyway?

LeadershipCoordinationOrganizationPlanningMotivationStrategyVision

It’s important to know ones limits!Project management also important for developers


What is an “open source” project?

“Open Source” and “FOSS” really just refer to a licenseThe classical model: distributed (global), done byvolunteersNow it’s not so clear anymore

(Figure by James Howison)


Starting a Project

It’s easy to start a project (see GitHub)Duplication of effortNIH (Not Invented Here)Choice of programming languageUnderestimation of effortLegal questions (e.g. license)Competition might be good


Cathedral vs Bazaar – or Cathedral and Bazaar

Raymond’s Bazaar model

Thousands of contributorsPeer review

You cannot start a project in the bazaarLogical conclusion: migration from cathedral to bazaar


Transition

You have to:attract the interest of othersgive them controlcoordinatemake it fun!


Sustained Development

DocumentationAttracting volunteersJoining a project, group etiquetteInfrastructureQuality assurance, release management


Management

Different management stylesDo coordinateAsk people in private, not on mailing listsKnow your people: what they’re good at, what theirpersonal circumstances areGetting rid of people (incompetent, trolls, inactive, busy)Mentoring people


Real Life Meetings

Developer/hack sessions: can be effectiveSocial/pub: can be motivating

Downsides: not everyone can participateWrite minutesDo not make major decisions in real life


Corporate Involvement

Paid people vs volunteersHow can your project benefit from corporate involvement?And how do they benefit?Create a win-win situation


Foreseeing Problems

GrowthControlDependence on core maintainer: run over a bus, growingup, letting looseInactive and incompetent volunteers


Open Source Foundations

Exist as a legal entityCan receive donations, hold assets, make contracts, etc.TransparentGovernance of organizations independent of one particularindividualExamples:

Free Software FoundationApache FoundationEclipse FoundationLinux FoundationSoftware Public in the InterestSoftware Freedom Conservancy


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 importantSelf-coordination tooLook at other projectsBe a good example!


Culture and community norms

Martin [email protected]

Martin Michlmayr Culture and community norms

[email protected]

What is Open Source?

People often speak about THE open source community

TechnologiesInfrastructureProcessesGovernancePhilosophyCulture


Debian

One of the most popular Linux distributionsRuns on most architecturesHas a large number of software applications (packages)Is free software

Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG)Open Source DefinitionSocial contract

Is completely done by volunteersOpen: Debian Maintainer, New MemberSome employed by companiesDistributed all over the world


Community


Being Open

Community is about being openWorking with others, including your competitorsDocumentation/NDACommunication infrastructureControl?


Community has...

EtiquetteNormsRitualsHistory


Norms

Violating community norms is bad


Email

HTML mailGarbled patchesLong mail footersDon’t CC people on Debian mailing listsTop posting (vs inline replies, but don’t try inlining withOutlook)


Email


Corporate vs Community Culture

Writing down information / mailing listsDistributed development vs co-located development(shouting across aisles, not documenting things)Technologies (Lync)Use corporate processes internally, and communityprocesses externally


Why Get Involved Upstream?

It’s free software/open source – you can do whatever youwantUpstream is the authoritative sourceGetting changes in decreases your maintenance burden –in the long runWorking together, solving problems togetherGetting new ideas


How to Get Started?

It’s hard to give a step-by-step HOWTOUse the software, report issuesHelp out, for example by fixing bugs or contributing featuresNot much coordination: you’ve to work independentlyBasically, find your own niche, do good work and establishtrust and a good reputationReputation often stays with the individual


Getting Involved

Observe mailing lists, study the archivesListen and observe for a while before speaking upUnderstand the cultureUnderstand how the project works and do not assume itworks like a companyIf you make changes, contribute them back (this alsoreduces maintenance costs)


project management in free software projectszack/teaching/1415/loglib/cours-09-talk-mgmt.pdf ·...

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