When embarking on a new project, particularly in the realms of software development, research, or educational material creation, one of the first and most crucial decisions to make is regarding its availability to the public. This initial consideration sets the stage for the project’s future development, distribution, and impact.
Assessing Intent for Public Availability:
- Project Goals and Audience:
- Define the primary objectives of your project. Is it aimed at solving a specific problem, advancing knowledge, or providing a tool or resource for a broader audience?
- Identify your intended audience. Is the project meant for the academic community, industry professionals, the general public, or a specific group?
- Open Development and Sharing:
- Consider the benefits of open development. Openly developed projects can benefit from community contributions, peer review, and widespread use and recognition.
- Assess the potential for collaboration. Projects intended for public availability often facilitate greater collaboration and knowledge sharing within and beyond Penn State.
- Impact on Licensing Choices:
- Understand how public availability influences licensing. An intent to make the project publicly available typically leans towards open-source licensing, which allows others to use, modify, and distribute your project more freely.
- Evaluate alignment with open source principles. If public availability is a goal, consider how open source licenses can support principles like transparency, collaboration, and community engagement.
- Role of OTM (Office of Technology Management):
- Determine the need for OTM involvement. If your project involves potentially patentable innovations or complex IP considerations, especially with commercial potential, OTM’s expertise will be crucial.
- Engage with OTM for specialized projects. For projects where public availability might be combined with specific IP rights (like a novel invention or a unique software algorithm), consult with OTM to balance open access with IP protection.
- Documenting Your Decision:
- Clearly document the intent for public availability. This documentation will guide future decisions and help in communicating the project’s goals to stakeholders, collaborators, and potential users.
- Review and Reassess Over Time. As the project evolves, regularly revisit the decision on public availability to ensure it remains aligned with the project’s evolving scope and objectives.
By thoughtfully considering the intent for public availability at the outset, you can align your project’s development and dissemination strategies with its overarching goals, ensuring a cohesive and impactful trajectory for your work at Penn State.