Following the news that it had launched an Open Python Directory to Advance Public Sector Innovation and a new Open Requirements Library to allow Government to Procure Smarter, Not Harder, we caught up with Jonathan Bourland, Associate Director of Drupal and Iris Ibekwe, Associate Director of Frontend Engineering, to learn more.
Supporting Critical Engagement in Support of Government
Efficiency is more important in government than ever. For the most part, agencies are being asked to do more with fewer resources. The Open Python Directory and our Open Requirements Library are part of CivicActions’s goal to increase government efficiency–in this instance by reusing and scaling existing open source options.
We’re hoping that our open tools, including the Open Python Directory, give agencies and contractors a boost in modernization projects. Instead of writing–or buying–new tools, why not use something that is already well-built and offered free and openly?
These resources represent a dynamic duo — they work really well when they’re combined. The Requirements Library provides good guidance to procurement teams on how to choose partners who value openness, and the Python Directory provides open source tools for these partners to achieve that openness—and thus efficiency—in their projects.
Putting Co-opetition Over Competition
Put simply, this kind of engagement – cooperation over competition – saves the government time and money–something that no one will have a problem with. I would also note that this ideal of collaboration is time-honored. It’s why so many folks speak at conferences and participate in hackathons. Coopetition isn’t a new idea, but since it’s always in tension with pure competition, it takes constant refreshing and re-envisioning to keep it vital.
As we invite other agencies, developers, and even government to openly contribute to the Open Python Directory, we’ll see how coopetition creates faster and more robust solutions than competition alone.
Collaboration Solving Tough Challenges – An Opportunity for Industry
We have a lot of great folks at CivicActions, but there are others out there with fresh ideas who can improve the tools we’ve started. And we can do the same for them. For example, our analysis tool is designed to make it easier for anyone to upload site crawl files for further review. It does not claim to be unique amidst similar tools but it presents an additional option for agencies. Also since it is an open-source tool, it is open to anyone for contributions and further improvements.
More hands are going to build our Python tools faster complementing each others’ skills and offering constructive feedback. This enriches the product development process and results in a more robust end-product. For example, we have experts in site auditing with AI. Perhaps another DSC organization has experts in harvesting content from websites. We would create a better site rationalization solution by combining forces. On the other hand, developing one’s own tools with a singular focus may result in products with fewer or overlooked features.
Embracing the Open Source Mindset
One thing you find in open source communities is a spirit of service. Open source developers often do their work out of the kindness of their hearts and the desire to create a better world. Not only do open resources align with government goals of efficiency and resilience, but they also align with government’s focus on citizens and the desire to make their lives better. To me, government and open source feel like a natural combination.
