This document discusses different models of project governance for open source software projects. It describes governance as establishing roles and processes for decision making. Key governance models discussed include the benevolent dictatorship model, where a single leader has final say, and the meritocratic model, where leadership roles are earned based on contributions and respect. The document also contrasts more closed, hierarchical models like the Cathedral approach with more open, participatory models like the Bazaar. Ubuntu is presented as striving to balance control and open contribution. Effective communication of a project's governance model is important for managing contributor expectations.

1. Project Governance
mark.johnson@it.ox.ac.uk
@marxjohnson

2. In this session
What are governace models? Why are they important
in FOSS projects?
Varieties of Governence models
Contribution management styles
Reflection on your own governance model

3. What's Governance?
The roles and processes for decision
making within a project
Gardler, R. Hanganu, G. et al – Governance Models
Informs potential contributors
Assures potential users
Helps build sustainability
Retains Control
Helps the project achieve its goals

4. Governance in Ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/about/about-ubuntu/governance
Ensures...
1) There is a defined process that helps people contribute
2) Decisions are taken in a fair and transparent manner
3) Necessary decisions are taken, even when there's no clear
consensus. There's also a clear path for appeal.
What's Governance?

5. Styles of Governance
Benevolent
Dictatorship
Meritocracy
(Formal)

6. Benevolent Dictator
Gardler, R and Hanganu, G. et al - Benevolent dictator governance model
Folgel, K. - Producing Open Source Software

7. ● Sensitivity to your own influence
● Letting people air ideas (even stupid ones)
● Ability to acknowledge own mistakes
● Ability to recognise good design
● Personality
Folgel, K.
Qualities of a Benevolent Dictator

8. Linus's take on being nice
"If you want me to "act professional", I can tell you that I'm not
interested. I'm sitting in my home office wearign [sic] a bathrobe.
The same way I'm not going to start wearing ties, I'm *also* not
going to buy into the fake politeness, the lying, the office politics
and backstabbing, the passive aggressiveness, and the
buzzwords. Because THAT is what "acting professionally"
results in: people resort to all kinds of really nasty things because
they are forced to act out their normal urges in unnatural ways."

9. Meritocracy
"Power for those who earn it"

10. Meritocracy
Gardler, R and Hanganu, G. et al – Meritocratic governance model
Helen contributes work to
the project
Helen gains
respect from peers
Respect gives Helen's
voice more weight in
discussions
Helen is elected or
appointed to a leadership
position

11. ●
Inclusive – Equality of opportunity
●
Operates on consensus rather than votes
●
"Lazy Consensus" helps expedite non-controversial
decisions
Meritocracy

12. Ubuntu – Striking a balance
Read the Ubuntu Governance handout
What are the roles?
How are decisions made?
Is it a Benevolent Dictatorship or a Meritocracy?

13. Project Management
Raymond, E. - The Cathedral and the Bazaar

14. Cathedral
●
Small group of experts
●
Infrequent release cycle
●
Heavily tested
●
Contributions subject to
heavy review

15. Bazaar
●
Larger, less formal group
●
"Release Early, Release Often"
●
"With enough eyes, all bugs are shallow"
●
Responsive to user and tester feedback

16. Benevolent
Dictator
Formal
Meritocracy
Cathedral
Bazaar
Less open to
participatory
governance
More open to
participatory
governance
Less open
to external
contribution
More open
to external
contribution
GNU Emacs
(c. 1997)
Ubuntu
Apache HTTPD
Apache OODT
Linux

17. Reflection Activity
●
Think about how decision are made within your
project, and how contributions are handled
●
Look at the graph of governance and contribution
models
●
Where does your project current sit?
●
Where do you think it should sit?

18. Summary
●
Governance is important to define and communicate
how your project operates
●
You need to strike the right balances to retain the
right amount of control while inviting the right amount
of contribution
●
There's no "one true way", it depends on your
project's goals
●
Communicating your governance model effectively
is important for managing the expectations of
contributors

19. Questions?
Cathedral, Frankfurt by Brian Burger
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirelizard/1414035429/
Istanbul - Grand Bazaar by Roger Woolstadt
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24736216@N07/3498051077
Saint IGNUcius speaking by Beatrice Murch
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blmurch/3001698026/
P1010100 by dazfuller
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68293811@N00/4043153407
Image Credits
References
Gardler, R and Hanganu, G. et al (2013) Governance Models
http://www.oss-watch.ac.uk/resources/governanceModels
Gardler, R. and Hanganu, G. et al (2013) Benevolent Dictator Governance Model
http://www.oss-watch.ac.uk/resources/benevolentdictatorgovernancemodel
Gardler, R. and Hanganu, G. et al (2013) Meritocratic Governance Model
http://www.oss-watch.ac.uk/resources/meritocraticGovernanceModel
Fogel, K. (2005) "What makes a good benevolent dictator?" Producing Open Source Software
http://producingoss.com/html-chunk/social-infrastructure.html#benevolent-dictator
Raymond, E. (2000) The Cathedral and the Bazaar
http://catb.org/~esr/writings/cathedral-bazaar/cathedral-bazaar/
Canonical Ltd. Governance
http://www.ubuntu.com/about/about-ubuntu/governance
Linux Namesake argues in favour of being a jerk
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.822248-Linux-Namesake-Argues-In-Favor-Of-Being-A-Jerk