Consider open source platforms
/Consider open source platforms
Many software experts prefer open source platforms, for a variety of reasons. Open source code can be examined, so you or your team can determine how the platform works. For example, you can determine how the platform sorts participant proposals to ensure a fair process. Open source code also means that you, your team, or your partners can adapt it to your own needs.
In addition, with open source software, you can keep running your project even if the original developer stops supporting it. With closed code, or proprietary platforms, you are dependent on the unpredictable factors that affect all businesses. For example, it's not uncommon for participation platforms to be acquired by larger government technology vendors. This can affect the platforms' licensing, pricing, and even availability.
If you choose a platform that isn't open source, you should make sure you can at least export your data from the platform. Several proprietary participation platforms offer data downloads to help alleviate these concerns. These platforms are tagged as having the “export data" feature in the comparison matrix. Try exporting your data from the platform to see how long it takes and how easy it is to replicate your process. Even when you can export your data, setting up your participation process again on another platform will likely be time consuming, which is why we recommend testing platforms before deciding on one.
There are also values-based reasons to choose an open source platform. Advocates like those with the Public Money’s Public Code campaign argue that software funded by government budgets should be broadly available. Not all governments support procurement of open source platforms, however; some even forbid it! Another potential problem is that the low price tag of open source code, which is often zero, can ironically prove to be problematic, due to outdated procurement rules that flag no-cost transactions as illegal gifts. Solutions to this include procurement reform in the long term, and hiring vendors to implement open source software in the short term.
At least one platform developer has found a compromise between open source and proprietary profitability. CitizenLab has made its core functionality open source. This means users can host basic participation processes without involving the company. You'll need to know your way around a web server, though. For its more advanced premium features, CitizenLab offers view-only access to the underlying code. This allows participation hosts to investigate the platform, but they can't adapt the code for their own purposes.
Next: Take contracting issues into account
Previous: Assure accessibility