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Program management for open source projects

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2023-05-03

Do release-blocking bugs have to be new?

If a bug existed in previous releases, should it block the upcoming release? There’s a case for “yes” and a case for “no”.

Categories Posts
2023-04-28

The solution isn’t interesting, the problem is

Nobody wants to use a computer. They want to get something done. Focusing on the problem instead of the solution gets you better results.

Categories Posts
2023-04-26

Little ways program managers add value

Some contributions aren’t a make-or-break moment, they’re a way to reduce the friction for contributors and make processes run smoother.

Categories Posts
2023-04-12

Embrace the non-judgmental “why?”

People don’t make bad decisions on purpose. If you understand why a decision was made in the past, you make better decisions for the future.

Categories Posts
2023-04-05

Footnotes and asides are a warning

Overuse of footnotes, commas, em dashes, and parentheses suggest your writing may be unclear. Keeping sentences focused helps your reader.

Categories Posts
2023-03-29

Use a decision log to record context

A decision log is a record that you leave for the future. It shares the context to save time when revisiting a past decision.

Categories Posts
2023-03-22

Words mean things

Choose your words carefully. You want people to discuss the facts, not the wording.

Categories Posts
2023-03-08

A donation for every sale in March

I’ll donate $10 for every ebook sale of my book on 8 March to Girls Who Code. For the rest of March, I’ll give $5 for every paper or ebook sale.

Categories News
2023-03-01

Be clear about who does what

If you’re not clear about who is supposed to act, people will assume that it’s not them. Be clear so everyone knows what to expect.

Categories Resources
2023-02-22

What you’re measuring is different from how you measure it

Start with understanding the “why?” behind what you’re trying to measure. Then figure out the measurements, knowing they’ll be imperfect.

Categories Posts

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About This Site

Learn how to get your ducks in a row, your cats herded, or any other animal metaphor you can think of.

2025 trends

Hand-drawn graphs on a sheet of white paper sitting on a desk.
Read my 2025 open source trends predictions.

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Cover of the book Program Management for Open Source Projects

Ebooks available from The Pragmatic Bookshelf. Print available from Bookshop and Amazon.

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Upcoming talks

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Latest posts

  • It’s okay to stop doing things2025-07-30
  • You can only expect the help you ask for2025-07-23
  • Using AI moderation tools2025-07-02
  • Your only obligations are the promises you make2025-06-25

Except where noted, all content © Ben Cotton and provided under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license except where noted. Logo design by alexlexi.

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