What This Guide Is
This is your first step in learning how to build meaningful, sustainable Open Source software with Software for Progress Foundation.
We’ll walk you through the big picture of the Open Source lifecycle, show you where you fit, and help you understand what comes next.
What Is the Open Source Lifecycle?
Creating Open Source software isn't just writing code and uploading it to GitHub.
It’s a full journey, from the first spark of an idea to releasing, growing, and (eventually) ending your project in a responsible way.
At Software for Progress Foundation, we divide this lifecycle into 10 simple stages:
| Phase | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| 01. Getting Started | What Open Source is, how it works, and why it matters |
| 02. Ideation & Discovery | Brainstorming meaningful ideas with real-world impact |
| 03. Planning & Scoping | Structuring your idea so you can build it |
| 04. Initial Development | Starting your codebase in a contributor-friendly way |
| 05. Testing & Validation | Making sure your software actually works for people |
| 06. Release & Launch | Sharing it with the world |
| 07. Community & Contribution | Welcoming others and growing your team |
| 08. Maintenance & Iteration | Fixing bugs and improving over time |
| 09. Sustainability & Scaling | Keeping your project going, or growing it |
| 10. Sunset & Legacy | Ending your project gracefully when the time comes |
Why Learn the Lifecycle?
Most Open Source projects fail, not because they’re bad, but because they lack structure, support, or community.
By learning the full lifecycle, you’ll be able to:
- Avoid common mistakes
- Build software people actually use
- Attract contributors and funding
- Feel confident every step of the way
What You’ll Learn at Software for Progress
We break things down in simple, practical ways, including:
- Step-by-step learning articles
- Templates and checklists to help you structure your work
- Real examples from supported projects
- Grants and mentorship for selected teams
This isn’t a coding bootcamp.
This is for people who already know how to code, and want to use those skills to help others through Open Source.
TL;DR
- Open Source is a full journey, not just code.
- The lifecycle helps you plan, build, grow, and maintain responsibly.
- At SFP, we help you through every phase, from idea to legacy.