Open source software project management from quality aspects

Abstract

The breakthrough of Open Source Software Development (OSSD) is not only evident when looking at the gradually rising interest in OSS related research but also when observing the software business. Clearly OSS provides many opportunities for companies to speed up their software development and lower its costs. However, there are risks involved in using products developed under Open Source Software model such as multitude of licenses, lack of liability in the quality of the products. The main characteristic of OSSD model is Internet based development in distributed environment. In this environment, the existence of project management practices is questionable or could differ from the commonly used styles. However, it is a known fact that project management plays the role of driving and sponsoring the quality considerations. Therefore, what level of weight could be put on quality related activities in OSSD environment through project management? This paper explores the quality management activities of open source software project management. This research uses 'The Guide to Project Management Body of Knowledge', Edition 2004 as the standard guide in seeking the quality , management aspects of open source software development model. The main quality processes of quality planning, quality assurance and quality control are studied and compared with OSSD approach to identify the activities of similar concept. Outcome of the research recovered that Open Source Software project management considerations on quality management is un-negligible. The level of attention on Quality Management aspects is very high and surprisingly light weighted to match the OSSD model. However, it was also observed that there is a slight imbalance in the activities within quality management.