Introduction :
Implementing the Apache way as the cornerstone of our operational model is important for the Apache software foundation and its communities. It’s vital to embed these values within our community, ensuring cohesive alignment on Apache projects. To maintain this alignment, establishing a data-driven mechanism to self-monitor the community adherence to a connection with these foundational value is necessary. As ComDev experts, we bear the responsibility to implement a mechanism that ensures the effective alignment of community activities with our foundational values.
Data-Driven mechanism :
The Apache Way baseline is a dynamic and statistical representation of the key attributes of the Apache Way. It serves as a living document, maintained by each community if they wish to be transparent from the outset of their incubation, to continuously track adherence to the foundational principles of the Apache Software Foundation or to identify reasons for disconnections. A community striving to align with the Apache Way or uphold ASF values exists on a spectrum. This mechanism enables self-assessment, helping communities identify their position on the spectrum and recognize growth areas to achieve their desired goals. The 1st phase of the base-lining Apache way will feature a questionnaire and level in the spectrum designed to highlight attributes of the Apache way, along with a score level that we encourage communities to provide responses. With community preference, each community need to designate one or more members/PMCs or trusted volunteer can be responsible for maintaining this. Communities will set in the spectrum themselves based on their currently month or quarterly community activities. This live document, accessible for reading by the community/public, will facilitate discussions to improve the behavior of their community. This will create a feedback loop with in the community for them.
The board and project leadership may understand the metrics data from the Apache Way from the spectrum to make informed decision regarding community development investments. This data will help in identifying communities that may be drifting from the Apache Way values., enabling targeted efforts to reconnect and foster the core values with in them. This can implement both in incubating and maturing projects.