Agora Contributors Guidelines
date
Aug 9, 2023
slug
contributor-guidelines
status
Published
tags
Agora
summary
Agora Team Dynamics and Contributor Guidelines for Open Source Projects
type
Post
Agora Team Dynamics and Contributor Guidelines for Open Source Projects
- Organizational Design:
- Team Size:
- Optimal size: 5 members per team.
- 6-8 direct connections for a leader.
- Tailor the number based on the team's experience and the seniority of the leader.
- Productivity during Rapid Growth:
- Systems are designed to last one growth magnitude; if doubling every six months, expect system rewrites.
- Focus on migration post-rewrites. Design effective migration strategies to ensure minimal disruptions.
- Other Dynamics:
- Path to high-performing teams.
- Avoiding top-down decisions.
- Risk management in a team.
- Planning for future leadership roles.
- Tools for Managing Change:
- Systems Thinking:
- Represent any complex issue as a system.
- Use systems as powerful aids.
- Migration Strategy:
- Focus on making tech updates scalable.
- Design migrations that are de-risked, enabling, and have clear endpoints.
- Reorganization:
- Essential skills: making technical migrations streamlined and running smooth reorganizations.
- Prioritize meaningful progress.
- Presenting to Senior Leaders:
- Tie topics to project value.
- Establish a historical narrative.
- Clearly state what you're suggesting.
- Provide data-driven arguments.
- Other Tools:
- Measuring progress & setting standards.
- Project narratives.
- Introducing solutions for wider adoption.
- Time management for projects.
- Learning communities.
- Approach for Different Scenarios:
- Saying No:
- Articulate team's limitations effectively.
- Address concerns related to speed and priority.
- Philosophy of Leadership:
- Focus on ethical behavior.
- Build and maintain strong relationships.
- Face challenges immediately and head-on.
- Other Approaches:
- Stick to project guidelines, not exceptions.
- Challenges leaders face.
- Collaborating with fellow leaders.
- Setting project direction.
- Culture:
- Prioritize Peer Collaboration:
- Focus on shared learning.
- Enhance project growth by joining rapidly growing communities and prioritizing peer relationships.
- Opportunity and Participation:
- Elevate internal contributors for key roles.
- Understand and value the community culture.
- Prioritize well-being and avoid burnout.
Guidelines for Contributors:
- Contribute by respecting the set team dynamics.
- Always think from a systems perspective, especially when suggesting changes.
- Prioritize migration strategy when contributing to code, keeping tech updates in mind.
- Seek mentorship from peers and experienced leaders.
- Prioritize team health and culture over individual productivity.
- Clearly articulate reasons for your contributions and their impact.
- Stay aligned with the project's vision, mission, and objectives.
These dynamics and guidelines are designed to foster rapid growth in open-source projects. Adherence ensures optimal collaboration and innovation.