Projects Analyzed

dolphicom || Django-open-source-project

Relevant Links

dolphicom

Gitlab Repository The Project Governance Model

28 My first contribution on dolphicom

Django-open-source-project

Website Github Repository Organization of the Django Project

Django Governance Model The Django project has a way of governing itself called a "consensus-based governance model." This means that when the people in charge (called the "core team") need to make decisions about the project, they talk to each other and try to agree on what to do. The core team is responsible for making the big decisions that affect the whole project, like adding new features or making big changes.

Project Roles Different roles involved in the Django project:

Django Fellows - Full-time developers paid to work on Django.
Technical Board - Responsible for setting technical direction for the project.
Core Team - Composed of volunteers who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to Django.
Developers - Contributors with write access to the codebase.
Maintainers - Developers responsible for maintaining a specific part of the codebase.
Triagers - Contributors who help review and organize incoming tickets.
Documentation Team - Maintains and improves the project's documentation.
Translators - Volunteers who help translate the documentation and user interface into different languages.
Security Team - Responsible for reviewing and addressing security issues.
UX (User Experience) Team - Works to improve the usability and accessibility of the project.

Decision making Decisions within the Django project are made through discussion and consensus among the core team members. If consensus cannot be reached, a vote may be held, but this is rare. Any core team member can call for a vote, and decisions are made by a simple majority.

Ease of finding and understanding the governance model: The governance model for the Django project was easy to find, as it was listed prominently on the project's website . The model was also well-written and easy to understand, with clear explanations of the project roles and decision-making procedures.

My Analysis

The Django Project and Dolphicom have governance models in place to make decisions and ensure their projects run smoothly. The Django Project uses a consensus-based model where major decisions are made by the core team members who discuss and reach an agreement. The team is responsible for leading the project and following a code of conduct and conflict resolution procedures.

Dolphicom, on the other hand, follows a hierarchical model where the Board of Directors makes overall decisions, and a team of contributors helps to implement them. Their governance model includes conflict resolution procedures and a code of conduct as well. Both models have similarities, such as the inclusion of a code of conduct and a team responsible for the project. However, they differ in their approach to decision-making and the level of formality in their governance models.

In my opinion, both models have their strengths and weaknesses. The consensus-based model used by Django is more collaborative and inclusive, leading to better outcomes and greater buy-in from contributors. But it may be more time-consuming and less efficient than a hierarchical model. Dolphicom's hierarchical model may allow for faster decision-making and clearer lines of authority, but it may also be less flexible and less inclusive.

In the end, it depends on the needs and goals of the project to choose the better model. A consensus-based model may be suitable for projects that prioritize collaboration and inclusivity, while a hierarchical model may be better for projects that prioritize efficiency and clarity. Both models have their strengths and weaknesses, and it is up to each project to choose the one that fits its needs best.

kakonodia commented 1 year ago

cc @arliss-NF Hi, I would greatly appreciate it if you could take a look at my contribution and provide any feedback you may have. Thank you!

arliss-NF commented 1 year ago

@kakonodia - well done. Your comments about which model to use and how it depends on the project & community are exactly what a project needs to consider. Great analysis.