By creating an open source program office, businesses can enable, streamline and organize the use of open source in ways that tie it directly to a company’s long-term business plans. That’s where the creation of an open source program can be a major boon. For many businesses, the needed change in philosophy when approaching open source use doesn’t come easily or naturally. One of its biggest differences is that open source development is collaborative, while traditional software and business practices are proprietary and closed.

Open source innovation has a methodology of its own and doesn’t follow traditional business processes. However, it’s not always fully understood by the executive leaders and decision-makers running the operations.Ī key problem is that, while enterprises develop and follow traditional business plans which dictate their operations and goals, open source software can be baffling. Open source software is widely used today by companies in a broad range of industries from retail to finance to automotive, and more.

Example open source program job listing.

The role of the open source program office.

Why create an open source program office.

It will cover topics for open source offices including: roles and responsibilities, corporate structures, elements of an open source management program, how to choose and hire an open source program manager, and more. This guide aims to help you figure out why and how to establish a program to manage the open source use and creation inside your company, as well as to show how your developers can make their own contributions to open source projects outside your operations. With such an office in place, businesses can establish and execute on their open source strategies in clear terms, giving their leaders, developers, marketers, and other staff the tools they need to make open source a success within their operations. How to create an open source program office Edit this guide on GitHubĪ central open source program office is a designated place where open source is supported, nurtured, shared, explained, and grown inside a company.

Create todo