What Works Well in Project Teams?
DebConf18, Hsinchu 

discussion moderated by Katheryn Sutter 

This BoF was not recorded. There was a possibility the moderator(me) would not channel stories in helpful directions. So this was an experiment in how we might do this in the future. The experiment went well. There were a few slides to introduce the topic, then mics were passed around the room as talking sticks. The moderator (me) held the power to reframe questions or politely put aside some comments that were not on topic. 

-----------
Text of the slides
-----------

WHY HAVE THIS DISCUSSION?

Open source projects are famous for collaboration genius.
The world wonders how free and voluntary participants achieve high-quality end products.
Debian learns a great deal from crises, but at great cost.
A tradition of sharing “what works well” may build skills for the future, and prevent some crises.


BUILDING A TRADITION: SHARING SUCCESS STORIES
Possible ways to tell such stories:

“We had a difficult decision to make, and something went well ...”
“When we disagree on technical choices, this is how we argue and reach agreement ...”
“We never have a problem with … , because we ...”
“When personalities clash, sometimes it helps when we … “

Possible ways to ask for help:

"Something that could be improved..."
“We are not so good at … “
“Our strengths have costs ...”
“Something we could improve is …”
“We don't understand how other groups solve this type of problem … “

-------------
Ideas for next year
-------------