Contributor Experience Study

[Cali0707]

We want to figure out how to get Knative contributors to stick around. Knative is highly complex so getting a contributor started is a large effort both for those guiding (maintainers) and those contributing. However, many contributors leave after only a few contributions. We want to figure out why this is, and how to keep those interested around for longer.

This would likely involve lots of user interviews of current contributors, past contributors, maintainers, and new contributors.

The end goal is to create a report detailing the contributor journey in Knative and outlining actions that can be taken to improve it.

[satyampsoni]

@Cali0707 How will we approach contributors for interviews?

[Cali0707]

For people interested in participating in this project for LFX, please share a google doc with a brief 1-3 page research proposal with myself (cmurray@redhat.com) and @mmejia02 (mariana.mejia@ocadu.ca).

It doesn't need to be very detailed, but we would like you to briefly discuss:

1. What are your research goals
2. What research methods would you use to meet these goals and why?
3. How will you know the study was successful (think: Key Performance Indicators)
4. What would be the timeline of this project? (keep in mind that LFX is a 12 week program)
5. Taking into account that Knative is a community based open source project, what ethical concerns and considerations do you have?

[Cali0707]

@Cali0707 How will we approach contributors for interviews?

@satyampsoni see my message above, we would love to hear how you propose approaching this in your research proposal!

[ManshiPrasad]

Hey @Cali0707
This is Manshi Prasad, a third year engineering student from NIT Jalandhar, India. I have knowledge of Linux, Docker, Shell scripting, Git, HTML, CSS ,Java and currently learning Kubernetes and will try my hands on Go too.
I am applying for the LFX program for this issue and have started working on the proposal.
Just wanted to know if there is any community which I can join & would appreciate any help with any sort of material to understand the issue better.
Thank You

[Cali0707]

Hey @ManshiPrasad (and anyone else wondering). If you want to join a place to ask questions, join the CNCF slack, and check out the #knative, #knative-contributors, and #knative-ux channels!

If you are interested in other components of knative there are channels for those too (e.g. #knative-eventing)

[UtkarshUmre]

hey @Cali0707 excited about contributor retention! Completed proposal with solutions and sent it via email, eager for your thoughts & collaboration to make Knative thrive

[ManshiPrasad]

Hey @ManshiPrasad (and anyone else wondering). If you want to join a place to ask questions, join the CNCF slack, and check out the #knative, #knative-contributors, and #knative-ux channels!

If you are interested in other components of knative there are channels for those too (e.g. #knative-eventing)

Thank you @Cali0707. Joined #knative :)

[satyampsoni]

Thank you so much @Cali0707. Will draft a proposal before the deadline!!

[Beastharsh970]

Nice one, contributor experience reports are indeed important. Looking forward to contribute on this!

[qurratulainalam]

hey @Cali0707
this is my first time applying at lfx mentorship program i just about to submit my cover letter but found out about the proposal questions that you mentioned earlier should i include it to the cover letter?
also wanted to know if you have already selected the mentee for this project or are you open to new applications for it,thanks in advance have a great day

[satyampsoni]

@qurratulainalam In the last meeting of knative/ux. There was a discussion about that how to submit the proposal. There can be two ways
i. You can create a Google doc and share that with @Cali0707 (cmurray@redhat.com) and @mmejia02 (mariana.mejia@ocadu.ca).
ii. Or Consider incorporating the hyperlink to the proposal document directly into your cover letter for easy access and reference.

And mentee will be announced on 29th Feb