Insights from the 2019 TSC Meeting

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Challenge of Managing Community Calendars
3. The Solution: Task Forces and Working Groups
4. The Role of Task Forces
5. The Role of Working Groups
6. Guidelines for Task Forces and Working Groups
7. Transitioning Existing Working Groups
8. Project Lifecycle Task Force
9. Sub-Projects and Project Governance
10. Proposals and Project Creation Process
11. Improving the TSC Election Process

The Power of Task Forces and Working Groups in Community Management

Community management plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and ensuring the success of any project or organization. In the Context of open source communities, such as Hyperledger, effective community management becomes even more critical.

In this article, we will explore the power of task forces and working groups in community management, focusing on how they can enhance collaboration, streamline decision-making processes, and foster the growth and success of open source projects.

Introduction

Open source projects, like Hyperledger, thrive on the collective contributions, expertise, and enthusiasm of their community members. However, effectively managing and harnessing the potential of a diverse and global community can be a complex and challenging task. Task forces and working groups act as essential mechanisms for organizing and coordinating community efforts, facilitating collaboration, and driving project success.

The Challenge of Managing Community Calendars

One of the key challenges faced by open source communities is managing community calendars. With numerous meetings, events, and working Sessions taking place across different projects, coordinating schedules and ensuring effective communication can become overwhelming. In the past, community calendars were typically managed by a few individuals, often leading to delays, miscommunication, and inconsistencies.

To overcome these challenges, Hyperledger has implemented a new system for managing community calendars. This system allows maintainers, Sig chairs, and working group chairs to have direct control over scheduling and coordination, streamlining the process and ensuring transparency and efficiency.

The Solution: Task Forces and Working Groups

To address the challenges associated with community management and coordination, Hyperledger has introduced the concepts of task forces and working groups. These two strategies provide a structured and collaborative approach to organizing and managing community efforts, empowering project maintainers, chairs, and contributors to drive progress and innovation.

The Role of Task Forces

Task forces are temporary groups formed to address specific challenges, achieve defined goals, or deliver specific outcomes within a set timeframe. They are created around a specific task or objective and consist of individuals with Relevant expertise and interest in the topic at HAND.

Task forces operate with a clear mandate and deliverable, ensuring focused efforts and Timely results. They enable cross-functional collaboration, bringing together diverse perspectives and skills to tackle complex issues or drive specific initiatives. Task forces play a crucial role in driving innovation, solving problems, and fostering collaboration within the community.

The Role of Working Groups

Working groups, on the other hand, are more permanent communities focused on a specific topic or area of interest. Unlike task forces, working groups do not have a predefined timeframe or deliverable. They serve as ongoing platforms for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and community-building.

Working groups provide a space for individuals with shared interests to come together, discuss challenges, share best practices, and drive progress in their respective areas. By fostering ongoing collaboration and engagement, working groups contribute to the overall growth and success of the project.

Guidelines for Task Forces and Working Groups

To ensure the effectiveness and success of task forces and working groups, Hyperledger has established guidelines and best practices for their operation. These guidelines cover aspects such as membership, governance, communication channels, decision-making processes, and reporting.

Maintainers, chairs, and contributors involved in task forces and working groups are encouraged to adhere to these guidelines, promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusivity within the community.

Transitioning Existing Working Groups

As part of the community calendar reorganization efforts, existing working groups will be transitioned into the new system. Maintainers and chairs of working groups are required to contact the community calendar manager to provide essential details and migrate their meetings to the new platform.

This migration will ensure a smoother transition and empower maintainers and chairs to have direct control over their group's scheduling and coordination.

Project Lifecycle Task Force

The Project Lifecycle Task Force is an important initiative within Hyperledger that focuses on defining and refining the project lifecycle process for all projects within the community. This task force ensures consistency, transparency, and best practices in project management and governance.

Through the project lifecycle process, projects undergo various stages, including proposal, incubation, active, and graduation. The task force ensures that projects follow a standardized process, including clear criteria for transitioning between stages, consistent documentation, and community-wide visibility into the project's progress and status.

Sub-Projects and Project Governance

Hyperledger recognizes the need for flexibility and scalability within projects, especially as they grow and evolve. Sub-projects are an essential mechanism for managing diverse efforts under the umbrella of a larger project.

While sub-projects are not formally defined within the governance structure of Hyperledger, they play a vital role in driving innovation and fostering collaboration. Sub-projects operate under the governance of the main project and are governed by specific guidelines and policies.

Maintainers and contributors involved in sub-projects are encouraged to establish clear governance mechanisms, define decision-making processes, and ensure effective communication and coordination with the main project.

Proposals and Project Creation Process

The process of proposing and creating new projects within Hyperledger is a critical step in fostering growth and innovation. The community welcomes proposals for new projects that Align with the Hyperledger mission and demonstrate clear value and impact.

To streamline the proposal and creation process, Hyperledger encourages prospective project contributors to engage with relevant projects and working groups first. By collaborating and aligning with existing efforts, new projects can leverage the community's expertise, avoid duplication, and foster stronger connections within the ecosystem.

Proposers are expected to engage with the relevant project maintainers and chairs to explore potential synergies and determine if the proposed project should become a separate entity or be integrated within an existing project. This collaborative approach ensures that resources are utilized effectively and that new projects align with the overall goals and vision of the Hyperledger community.

Improving the TSC Election Process

The TSC election process is a critical aspect of community governance within Hyperledger. It ensures that community members have a voice in deciding the future direction and leadership of the project.

To improve the election process, Hyperledger is exploring ways to enhance the eligibility and voting mechanisms. Collecting and validating email addresses has been a significant challenge, with issues around accuracy, privacy concerns, and technical limitations.

Efforts are underway to streamline the process and explore alternative methods for verifying eligibility, such as leveraging LFIDs or other secure authentication mechanisms. By improving the TSC election process, Hyperledger aims to increase participation, transparency, and effectiveness in community governance.

Highlights

• Hyperledger is reorganizing its community calendar to enhance coordination and scheduling.
• Task forces and working groups play a crucial role in community management and project success.
• Task forces are temporary groups focused on specific goals and deliverables.
• Working groups are permanent communities centered around specific topics or areas of interest.
• Guidelines and best practices ensure the effectiveness and accountability of task forces and working groups.
• Existing working groups will be transitioned to the new community calendar system.
• The Project Lifecycle Task Force ensures consistency and best practices in project management.
• Sub-projects operate under the governance of the main project and have specific guidelines for coordination.
• Proposals for new projects should align with existing efforts before being considered.
• Improving the TSC election process is a priority to increase participation and transparency.

FAQs

Q: Can anyone join a working group or task force?

A: Yes, working groups and task forces are open to anyone interested in contributing to the specific goals or objectives of the group. Participation is encouraged to drive collaboration and innovation within the community.

Q: How can I propose a new project within Hyperledger?

A: To propose a new project, engage with relevant projects and working groups first to explore potential synergies and alignment. Collaboration and discussion with the community will help determine if the proposed project should be a separate entity or integrated within an existing project.

Q: What is the difference between a task force and a working group?

A: Task forces are temporary groups focused on specific objectives and deliverables within a set timeframe. Working groups are permanent communities centered around specific topics or areas of interest.

Q: Can I participate in multiple working groups or task forces?

A: Yes, community members are encouraged to contribute to multiple working groups or task forces. Active involvement in multiple groups fosters cross-collaboration, knowledge exchange, and growth within the community.