Promoting the creation of open-source software in your business

In a job-seekers market, one of the greatest perks you can offer young software developers is the opportunity to produce open-source software – that is, software that is displayed online for anyone to comment or work on. Communities such as Github have created an extremely open atmosphere for sharing, contributing to, and acknowledging the development of high-quality software. In fact, this atmosphere applies to almost anyone these days as relevant online communities serve as better skills validators than the conventional resume. (Consider Dribbble, Vimeo, and Tumblr.)

In and of itself, open-source software has its merits and its issues. If security is at stake, then certainly be more selective about what you choose to open-source. But in general, a large amount of the work that developers do can safely be displayed online.

Open-source lets developers build their reputation

Furthermore, the influence of a Github portfolio should not be underestimated. This may seem skin-deep, but importance lies in the fact that a high-quality Github portfolio reflects time and energy spent curating one’s projects. For instance, a good Github project is well-documented, contains a well-written README (or overview) and is well-marketed online so as to gain approval throughout the community (via stars – similar to “likes” on Facebook). The skills required to create and maintain a high-quality project speak loudly.

By promoting the open-sourcing of the software that your developers create, you will be very explicitly furthering them along in their careers. You may not be offering the Facebook of HVAC, but you can offer a better-than-most educational experience and visible growth to young developers who need it to get where they want to be.

Ultimately, if you want to stop fighting for the bottom 10% of programmers, start promoting openness and cultivate interest in the future of your developers.

Community manager’s note: The author is from Park and Eaton, a US-based consultancy firm that works to make sure their client company’s technical atmosphere is vibrant and compelling for new and existing developers.