2019-04-18 OpenMRS Strategy Discussion: Giving and Gaining

Last week we focused on operations, so this week we’re honing in on a specific topic to discuss as a community. In addition to checking in on where things are with OpenMRS Flow, we’ll spend some time talking about what the community gives and what projects, like OpenMRS Flow, gain from working together.

Agenda/notes: https://notes.openmrs.org/2019-04-18-Strategy-and-Operations-Call

Time: 9:30pm IST | 7pm Nairobi | 6pm Cape Town | 4pm Accra | 12pm Boston | 9am Seattle

To join the call by phone, dial +1-888-510-4073. To join the call using Audio, Chat, & Screen Sharing please use a compatible browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) and go to: http://www.uberconference.com/openmrs

@terry @paul @janflowers @burke @wanyee @jdick @chris @mseaton @mogoodrich@ssmusoke @gschmidt @c.antwi @isaacholeman @jteich

Thanks to everyone who participated in Thursday’s discussion! Here are some of the updates, key points, and action items that came up:

OpenMRS Flow Update

  • A small group started exploring different types of services and bumped into Single Spa, which provides a front end solution that weaves together applications.
  • They have been talking to the person who created this framework.
  • Design forums have been a space for laying out the vision.
  • This is getting closer to a point where a few organizations that work with different technologies and distributions within the community are committed to working toward an initial prototype/proof of concept, possibly through a hackathon in the next month.
  • This will determine if we can create a framework, lay a foundation that meets the community’s needs and is also a convergant path that brings things together.
  • The goal of this group is not to be exclusive
    • Get upfront commitment of developer time
    • Aim to get something up and running so that we are not simply talking

What can community give to help this process? What can this process give to the community?

  • Much of the discussion focused on the need to better define how OpenMRS Inc funds projects.
  • About a year ago, the community came up with a description of a mechanism for funding projects.
  • We still need a process where this type of request can be vetted and decisions about funding work or projects such as this can be made.
  • It’s important to have a thoughtful discussion about what we fund since these decisions will set precedent for future projects.
  • There are some key questions about what OpenMRS Inc can legally fund (based on tax status) and what criteria the community uses to fund projects that we need to answer.

Next steps:

  • Review and finalize the project prioritization criteria by April 25
  • Get clarity on legal questions about OpenMRS Inc status and what we can/cannot fund
  • Define the proposal vetting/selection/decision making process and how long it will take
  • Design Forum on April 29 with Single Spa
  • Hackathon to get a prototype up some time in the next month
  • Continue to specify what the community can give to projects (aside from funding)

You can find the full notes here: https://notes.openmrs.org/2019-04-18-Strategy-and-Operations-Call

And follow this link to the recording.

1 Like

Thanks @jennifer!