[Aust-NZ] Open Source development metrics

[Bruce.Bannerman at dpi.vic.gov.au]

IMO:


An issue has come up recently on the OSGeo-AustNZ list that I'd appreciate 
some feedback from our wider OSGeo Community.


The context of this issue is that we are exploring ways to support 
development of the GeoNetwork ANZLIC Profile.

In particular, we're looking at options that allow permanent staff to 
contribute to ongoing OS development work outside of normal Project based 
development with its well defined deliverables and timeframes.



In Australia within the public sector and also in many larger private 
organisations there is a Human Resources process in place that is based on 
Performance Management. This process allows either staff or managers to 
initiate discussions that allow for goal based work to be undertaken.

In principal both parties agree to a set of goals. If the goals are met, 
it contributes to the employee's remuneration review.


What I'm trying to find are some examples of generic metrics that are 
meaninful to Open Source development methodologies. They must be 
specific, meaningful and measurable. 


For example, we could look at measures such as:


"Get feature X accepted into the trunk of GeoNetwork by June 2009"


However this is probably unrealistic  as to do this the developer will 
have to have existing credibility within the community and there may be 
good reasons why the community does not want to have 'product X' included. 



Does anyone have any examples that they use or thoughts on the above?


I do understand that metrics can be abused, may be meaningless and may not 
be the best way to handle this, however we have to start somewhere.



We have a window of opportunity to get some more developers working on OS 
projects as the Performance Planning cycle re-starts shortly and I'd like 
to help our developers get some constructive ideas to take into their 
sessions.  



Bruce Bannerman




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