Selecting Infrastructure and Tools for Longevity

Last updated on 2025-07-29 | Edit this page

Estimated time: 35 minutes

Overview

Questions

  • How do technical choices affect the sustainability of an open project?
  • What are the trade-offs between simplicity, scalability, and maintainability?
  • How can we align infrastructure decisions with community needs?

Objectives

  • Identify infrastructure components that support open project sustainability.
  • Evaluate tools and platforms for long-term support and community fit.
  • Practice selecting infrastructure through a scenario activity.

What Is Infrastructure in Open Projects?

Infrastructure refers to the technical tools and services that support your project: - Code repositories (like GitHub or GitLab) - Communication platforms (like Slack or Discourse) - Data storage and hosting - Documentation systems - Project management tools

Factors to Consider

  • Simplicity: Is it easy for your team and contributors to use and maintain?
  • Scalability: Will it keep working as your project grows?
  • Interoperability: Does it connect well with tools your community already uses?
  • Support and Longevity: Is it actively maintained and broadly used?
  • Cost: Are there long-term or hidden costs?

Tool Selection Framework

Use the technology facet of the ITAV framework to guide decisions: - Match tools to your current phase (Getting Started, Growing, or Stable) - Score tools on adoption, ease of use, long-term viability, and flexibility

Challenge

Exercise: Infrastructure Scenario Planning
Time: 15 minutes

You’re launching a platform for open educational resources. In small groups: - Identify three infrastructure needs (such as code hosting, contributions, or discussion) - Choose tools from a provided list or suggest your own - Explain your selections using the criteria above

Report back to the full group.

Discussion

Think about a project you’ve worked on. Which infrastructure choices stuck with the project—for better or worse? What would you change today?

Key Points

  • Infrastructure choices shape a project’s future. They’re strategic decisions.
  • Tools should fit your project’s stage, team skills, and community needs.
  • Revisit your setup regularly to keep it sustainable.