Learning patterns/Finding programmers for a WMF grant

Finding programmers for a WMF grant

problemYou need developers to work on a Wikimedia grant proposal

solutionThe best way to reach developers is using the mailing lists they follow.

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created on17 December, 2013

status:in progress

What problem does this solve?

This learning pattern addresses the problem of not having developers to help on your project.

Try asking questions or making requests through one of these channels.

Try to be as specific as possible about the kind of developer support you need. Do you need someone to run a Bot? Write a extension or Javascript Gadget? Create a new Wikimedia labs tool? If you're not sure what kind of developer help you will be needing for your project, try to describe the task that you want to perform as clearly as possible, and be ready to answer follow-up questions to the best of your ability.
If you are able, it is helpful for programmers to see a timeline that specifies rough deadlines for programming elements. Importantly, reserving some amount of time for initial conversations and planning, programming, testing, and implementation. The more complex the programming element, the more testing it is likely to require.
If you are planning to pay for development work, it is best to estimate a potential hourly rate and how many hours of development work will be needed before you finalize the budget for your project. You may want to ask a friendly developer to help you with these estimates.
In some cases it may also be helpful and useful to recruit developers outside the Wikimedia movement, but from aligned context (e.g. general open source development). The following mailing lists and forums may reach fitting candidates:
- http://www.fossjobs.net/
- The Devsummit mailing list
- The Outreachy internship program also lists various job boards on it Opportunities page.

Grant-funded projects that involve creating new tools or automated processes on wiki.