Establishing Governance for Sustainable Open Projects

Last updated on 2025-04-24 | Edit this page

Overview

Questions

  • Why is governance critical for sustainability in open projects?
  • What governance models are commonly used in open source projects?
  • How can a project decide which governance model fits best?

Objectives

  • Explain the importance of establishing a governance structure early in a project’s life.
  • Compare common governance models and their strengths/weaknesses.
  • Use the ITAV Governance Framework to assess which model aligns with your project’s context.

What is Governance?

Governance defines how decisions are made in your project. It can include:

  • Roles and responsibilities
  • Decision-making processes
  • Policies and codes of conduct

Common Governance Models

  • Benevolent Dictator for Life (BDFL): One or more founders retain final say over decisions.
  • Consensus-Based: All major decisions are made collaboratively, often using voting or discussion.
  • Meritocratic: Influence is earned through contributions and participation.
  • Foundation-Based: A nonprofit organization provides oversight and long-term support.

Governance in Context

There is no universal model—each project should adapt based on its goals, size, and community. Use ITAV’s “Governance Objectives” as a guide for what decisions your team should consider early.

Exercise: Governance Alignment Worksheet

Challenge

Time: 10 minutes

Use the ITAV Governance Worksheet (Appendix A) to assess your current or planned governance structure. Score the importance of aspects like leadership clarity, decision transparency, and community input.

In pairs or small groups, compare your scores and discuss:

  • Which governance model seems best suited to your context?
  • What trade-offs would your team be willing to make?

Discussion Prompt

Discussion

What governance challenges have you seen in open projects you’ve participated in? How were they resolved—or left unresolved?

In the next episode, we’ll explore strategies for Engaging Communities and sustaining active participation in your project over time.

Key Points

  • Governance provides clarity, transparency, and shared responsibility in OSS.
  • There is no one-size-fits-all model; effective governance reflects community needs.
  • Decisions about structure, leadership, and policies should be revisited over time.