Build and sustain a community of practice: method applied to F/OSS projects

By Stephane Ribas (‎Stephane‎)
Date: Friday, 2 October 2009 14:00
Duration: 40 minutes
Language: English
Tags: collaborative communities environment free knowledge open sharing social software source

Technologies such as Web 2.0 have fostered the development of new collaborative ways of working in the R&D domain, often evolving towards the creation of an organised community. The increasing connections at international level raise a need for remote collaboration around the world that emphasises the need to organise the creation and sustainability of such communities. This article presents one method, developed within INRIA institute, to build and sustain a community of practice. Our approach, based on the five main steps described in the presentation, has been assessed on one European project. Results are reviewed and we believe that transparency, trust, and people commitment are the keys that pave the way to success. Launching a community and developing it successfully is not always a spontaneous action but relies on a structured approach. By presenting such a method, we hope to foster anyone who would like to launch a community to throw himself into the adventure in a more productive manner.

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