Successful OSS Project Design and Implementation : Requirements, Tools, Social Designs and Reward Structures

Today, it has become clear that Open Source Software represents a significant portion of the software industry. This book provides an overall understanding of the OSS approach by explaining the features common to the products and processes of open source development projects. Decision makers at different levels and in a variety of fields will be able to understand the factors that contribute to the OSS adoption and use effectiveness; the circumstances required, the approaches, tools, social designs, reward structures and coordination methods.

The open source phenomenon has attracted an increased interest among commercial firms and governments. It is becoming one of the most influential paradigm shifts not only in software development but in social and economic value creation as well. While software development is perhaps the most prominent example of open source, its principles have now been applied across a wide range of product classes, industries and even scientific disciplines. Decision makers at different levels and in a variety of fields need to improve their understanding of the factors that contribute to the Open Source Software (OSS) effectiveness: approaches, tools, social designs, reward structures and metrics. Successful OSS Project Design and Implementation provides a state-of-the-art analysis of OSS design principles, their emergence and success and how they are extending well beyond the domain of software.