This slide deck describes the learnings that came from over 3 years of collaborating on an Open Source multi-application solution for tracking the Greenville, South Carolina Trolleys. This includes a tracking agent, back end server, web, iOS and Android client applications. It is built and maintained by Code for Greenville, an all volunteer group of civic problem solvers. Jeremy Wight shared these learnings as the Product Manager of the Trolley Tracker Application.

1. Real World:
Building an Open Source App
Jeremy Wight
Sr. Engineering Manager, InVision &
Code for Greenville - Trolley Tracker, Product Manager
jeremy@jeremywight.com

2. The Code for Greenville Trolley Tracker App
Our story and key learnings

3. Tips &
Learnings
1. Project Kick-Off
2. Ideation
3. User Research
4. Design & Prototype
5. Cut Scope
6. Overcoming Blockers
7. Leveraging Resources
8. Release!
9. Iterate
10. Celebrate

4. Project Kick-Off
Tips
• Pizza
• Beer
• Recruiters (Yes, seriously)

5. Ideation
Tips
• Inclusion
• Exploration
• Measured constraints

6. User Research
Tips
• Understand the problem
• Understand the scope
• Early validation of solution

7. Design & Prototype
Tips
• Expression
• Understanding
• Momentum

8. Cut Scope
Tips
• Really, cut it down
• Establish momentum

9. Overcoming Blockers
Tips
• Be scrappy
• Be resilient
• It will feel like a slog, slog anyways

10. Leveraging Resources
Tips
• Leverage the people and skills available
• Set clear expectations
• Manage momentum

11. Release!
Tips
• Early learnings
• Tracking success
• Guerilla marketing

12. Iterate & Update
Tips
• Leverage user feedback
• Monitor metrics
• Re-introduce scope
• Consider ongoing upkeep

13. Celebrate
Tips
• Know your key contributors
• The Why
• Have fun!

14. Questions?

15. Thank You for joining!
Real World: Building an Open Source App
Jeremy Wight
Sr. Engineering Manager, InVision &
Code for Greenville - Trolley Tracker, Product Manager
jeremy@jeremywight.com