Contribute and Launch Open Source Projects is a 5-module course series designated for workers within organizations managing open source that builds on the accumulated wisdom of the previous Guide to Outbound Open Source Software documentation. This course offers management and strategic skills into why and how the organizations's team units can efficiently contribute to open source projects.
Upon course completion, learners will be equipped to establish and manage open source projects more effectively. They will gain a clear understanding of how to tailor these practices to their specific organizational context and teams, whether in a large or small organization.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Understand and Communicate the Strategic Importance of Open Source Contribution: You will gain an in-depth understanding of why contributing to open source projects is strategically beneficial for organizations
- Develop Project Management Skills in Open Source Context: You will be equipped with skills to effectively establish and manage open source projects in an organization context.
- Enhance Team Collaboration in Open Source Projects: You will learn techniques to improve collaboration and coordination across teams/departments
This course series is designed to help executives and managers who shape open source processes within organizations, understand and articulate the basic concepts for contributing and launching open source projects in their organization.
Before enrolling, students should have a basic understanding of software development and business concepts. We recommend students take the following courses in advance:
- LFD102 - A Beginner’s Guide to Open Source Software Development
- LFC202-207 - Open Source Management & Strategy
- LFC193 - Introduction to Open Source License Compliance Management
- LFC105 - Antitrust Laws and Open Source Software Project Management and Participation
Students involved in the finance sector are advised to consider the following industry-vertical course for additional guidance:
- LFD137 - Open Source Contribution in Finance
None
This course prepares students working in organizations for advanced roles in IT management, focusing on the strategic and efficient contribution to open source projects. Learners are equipped with the skills necessary for roles such as Open Source Project Manager or Open Source Program Office Lead.
Chapter titles and learning objectives for each chapter
- Introduction
- Understand the maturity levels in open source projects.
- Explore the motivations for contributing to open source, including:
- Building software faster and better.
- Exercising strategic influence.
- Attracting, growing, and retaining talent.
- Sustaining the open source ecosystem.
- How to Contribute to OSS Projects
- Define your organization's open source goals and strategy.
- Establish guiding principles and processes for open source contribution, including:
- Understanding the guiding principles.
- Identifying who holds decision-making responsibilities.
- Outlining the general structure and scope of the contribution process.
- Process for obtaining company approval for contributions.
- Learn about various open source contribution models.
- Starting Open Source Projects
- Analyze the motivation behind starting open source projects.
- Understand the project life cycle, including:
- Planning or Concept Phase.
- Active or Development Phase.
- Mature or Maintenance Phase.
- Obsolete or End of Life Phase.
- Delve into legal and governance considerations:
- Choosing the right license.
- Understanding the Contributor License Agreement (CLA) and Developer Certificate of Origin (DCO).
- Establishing project governance.
- Differentiating between various project levels.
- Master community management, including creating a Code of Conduct.
- Technical Considerations, Tooling, and Best Practices
- Learn about user management in open source projects.
- Set up and maintain a repository.
- Provide appropriate license and copyright information.
- Manage CLA/DCO effectively.
- Implement credential scanning.
- Understand quality criteria and the CII Best Practices Badge Program.
- Learn about repository linting.
- Building an Open Source Metrics Strategy
- Develop strategies for measuring and evaluating the success and impact of open source releases.
- Introduction:
- Estimated lecture time: 1 hour
- Touchpoint exam: 10 minutes
- How to Contribute to OSS Projects:
- Estimated lecture time: 3 hours
- Touchpoint exam: 10 minutes
- Starting Open Source Projects:
- Estimated lecture time: 3 hours
- Touchpoint exam: 10 minutes
- Technical Considerations, Tooling, and Best Practices:
- Estimated lecture time: 2 hours
- Touchpoint exam: 10 minutes
- Building an Open Source Metrics Strategy:
- Estimated lecture time: 1 hour
- Touchpoint exam: 10 minutes
- Final Exam
- Estimated time: 15 minutes
TOTAL LECTURE TIME: 10 Hours TOTAL EXAM TIME: 1 Hour
TBD
Earners of the Contributing and Launching Open Source Projects within Organizations badge showcase expertise in managing open source projects. They excel in strategy implementation and cross-team collaboration to manage employee contributions.
open source management and strategy; open source governance; project management; open source project life cycle