The 3 Cs of Open Source Engagement
Open Source Strategies for Organisations : The 3 Cs of Open Source Engagement
Open source has revolutionized the way individuals and organisations approach software development and innovation. It offers a world of possibilities, from using existing solutions to actively contributing and even creating new open source products. To harness the full potential of open source and minimize risks, organisations need to embrace the three fundamental Cs of open source engagement: Consume, Contribute, and Create.
1. Consume (Open Source Products): Leveraging the Power of Free
Consume, the first C, involves using open source products to support projects, initiatives, or day-to-day work within your organization. Open source products provide accessibility, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness, making them an attractive option. By utilizing open source software, libraries, frameworks, or tools, individuals and teams can tap into a vast pool of resources developed and maintained by a collaborative global community of developers.
From an organizational perspective, the decision to adopt open source products requires careful consideration. Evaluate the long-term benefits and potential impact on your organization's ecosystem. Open source consumption can reduce costs, accelerate development cycles, foster innovation, and provide access to a supportive community for knowledge sharing and support. However, it is crucial to assess risks such as security vulnerabilities, compatibility issues, and ongoing maintenance requirements. Select open source products that align with your organization's needs, security standards, and long-term strategies.
Develop an engagement strategy that includes evaluation and selection processes, integration and interoperability planning, risk management protocols, and active community engagement. By strategically embracing open source consumption, organisations can harness the power of collaborative development and reap the benefits of high-quality, cost-effective solutions.
2. Contribute (to Open Source Projects): Building Reputation and Collaboration
The second C, Contribute, involves actively participating in the development, improvement, or maintenance of existing open source projects or communities. Organisations must recognize the value of contributing to the open source ecosystem. Individuals who contribute their knowledge, code, documentation, bug fixes, or feature enhancements gain personal satisfaction and recognition within the open source community.
Organisations need to foster a culture that encourages and supports open source contributions. Consider the benefits of contributing, such as increased influence and visibility within the community, access to a global talent pool for collaboration, improved software quality, and a culture of continuous learning and innovation. Align your organization's objectives with suitable open source projects that offer opportunities for meaningful contributions.
Ensure resource allocation by assigning dedicated individuals or teams to contribute to specific projects, providing necessary training and mentorship. Understand the legal considerations associated with open source licenses and intellectual property protection. Actively engage with the open source community, seeking feedback, and sharing your expertise.
By embracing open source contribution strategically, organisations can leverage collective expertise, drive innovation, and establish themselves as leaders in their respective fields. Encourage your contributors to interact with the community, fostering relationships that bring value to your organization and the open source ecosystem.
领英推荐
3. Create (Open Source Products): Creating the Future
The third C, Create, is the most ambitious level of open source engagement. It involves developing and releasing new open source software, projects, or products under an open source license. As creators, you have the opportunity to make a disruptive contribution to the open source ecosystem. You aim to introduce innovative solutions that can revolutionize practices or address unmet needs.
However, becoming a creator requires a significant commitment of resources, including time, talent, and financial investment. Evaluate the long-term sustainability of your open source initiatives. Identify the skill sets required to create and manage the open source project successfully. Establish the necessary support systems and infrastructure, including version control systems, issue tracking mechanisms, and documentation processes.
Consider the potential benefits, such as enhanced brand reputation, increased visibility, improved customer engagement, access to a wider talent pool, and the ability to shape industry standards. Align your open source project with your organization's broader business strategies and objectives.
By engaging as creators in open source, organisations can drive innovation, influence industry trends, and establish a strong brand presence. Evaluate the risks, commit the necessary resources, and develop a sustainable strategy aligned with your long-term objectives.
Embrace the 3 Cs for Open Source Success
To succeed in the open source landscape, organisations need to embrace the 3 Cs: Consume, Contribute, and Create. Develop a comprehensive open source strategy and policies. Manage open source initiatives within an open source portfolio, ensuring coordination and alignment. Adopt an agile approach for consuming, contributing, and creating open source products.
Start small, test fast, and employ an inspect-and-adapt approach, following a Minimum Viable Open Source Product (MVOP) methodology. Emphasize collaboration, community engagement, and knowledge sharing. By embracing the 3 Cs and implementing a well-defined strategy, organisations can unlock the full potential of open source, harness its benefits, and propel innovation in their domains.
See full article here: https://www.pm2alliance.eu/forum/the-3-cs-of-open-source-engagement/
Thanks to Luis Sequeira https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/lsequeira/ for his feedback and contribution to the original 2020 article.
Senior Consultant - Methodologies
1 年I came up with the 3C concept during one of the meetings of the open source community at the European Commission. This was back in 2018 and the conversation back then revolved mostly around being a consumer of Open Source solutions, and in only few cases, about being a contributor. Since then, many thigs have changed at the European Commission including a much clearer Open Source Strategy (see more: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_6649).
Nice content, thanks for sharing!