Good Governance Initiative Audience

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Who Is the Good Governance Initiative (GGI) Handbook For?

Overview

The Good Governance Initiative (GGI) Handbook is written for the person responsible for, or willing to help an organisation use, contribute to, and govern open source software more effectively. It is not a technical guide for software developers. Nor is it a handbook for experienced open source project maintainers. Instead, it is a practical and modular roadmap for organisational leaders, program managers, and change agents who must align people, processes, technology, policy, and strategy around open source software. The handbook is particularly valuable for organisations seeking to move from informal or unmanaged open source use toward a deliberate, sustainable, and strategically aligned open source program, including the creation or maturation of an Open Source Program Office (OSPO).

Intended Audience

Typical readers include:

  • Open Source Program Office (OSPO) Leads
  • Open Source Program Managers
  • CIOs and Deputy CIOs
  • CTOs and Technology Strategy Leaders
  • Enterprise Architects
  • Directors of Engineering or Software Development
  • Research Computing Directors
  • Digital Transformation Leaders
  • Information Security Managers
  • IT Governance Managers
  • Procurement and Vendor Management Leaders
  • Innovation and Digital Sovereignty Officers

These individuals typically operate between technical teams and executive leadership, helping their organisations understand the opportunities, risks, and responsibilities associated with open source software.

Reader Profile

The Open Source Transformation Lead

The ideal reader is an organisational leader who recognises that open source is no longer simply a software acquisition model — it is a strategic capability.

Experience

Technology

  • Strong understanding of enterprise technology, software systems, and IT operations
  • Familiarity with software development practices and modern technology platforms

Open Source

  • Experienced user of open source software
  • Limited experience with formal governance, open source licences, OSPOs, community engagement, or open source foundations

Business

  • Comfortable with budgets, planning, risk management, procurement, and stakeholder engagement
  • Able to communicate with technical teams and executive leadership

Motivations

This person wants to:

  • Reduce technology and supply-chain risks
  • Improve software sustainability
  • Strengthen digital sovereignty
  • Reduce vendor lock-in
  • Increase organisational innovation
  • Improve workforce skills and capabilities
  • Create a culture of responsible open source participation
  • Transform open source from a hidden dependency into a strategic organisational asset

Organisations Best Positioned to Benefit

The GGI Handbook is particularly valuable for:

  • Universities and higher education institutions
  • Research organisations and research software initiatives
  • Government agencies and public institutions
  • Nonprofits and associations
  • Medium and large enterprises
  • Organisations considering the creation of an OSPO These organisations already depend on open source software and are seeking a structured approach to governance, compliance, community engagement, sustainability, and strategy.

What Success Looks Like

A successful reader of the GGI Handbook will be able to answer:

  • What open source software do we use?
  • What open source software do we create?
  • What risks and dependencies do we have?
  • What skills do our teams need?
  • How should we engage communities, vendors, and foundations?
  • How do we measure progress?
  • Should we establish an OSPO?
  • How does open source support our mission, strategy, and long-term goals?

Takeaway

In short, the GGI Handbook is for the person responsible for turning open source from an unmanaged technical dependency into a governed organisational capability that advances innovation, resilience, sustainability, and strategic impact.