Executive Summary (This is a document excerpt)

Open source software (OSS) is getting renewed attention from application development professionals who are looking for cost-saving alternatives amid the economic recession. But many aren't asking the right question: Instead of "should we adopt OSS?" they should be asking, "how will we adopt OSS?" OSS is already seeping into development shops through a variety of channels, whether managers know it or not. Unchecked tactical adoption of OSS creates unmanaged risk and unrealized returns, and application development professionals should not tolerate it. Regardless of whether you view adoption of OSS as desirable or inevitable, the first step in moving from a tactical mess to a strategic plan is to specify the conditions under which OSS is permissible in your development shop. By creating a concise OSS policy, re-engineering the software acquisition process, and adding control points to ALM processes and tools, application development professionals can shift from tactical responses to conscious integration based on realistic expectations and articulated economic benefits.

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