How to Contribute

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Contribution Process Overview

To submit a contribution to the Open Compute Project, you will need to follow the following steps:

Become an OCP Contributor in 6 steps

  1. Submit New
    Contribution Form

    Computer monitor showing a form

    This starts a workflow in the OCP Contribution Hub where you can submit an abstract to the Project Leads for approval.

  2. Select a Licence
    Agreement

    Pen signing a CLA document

    Submit or sign the appropriate license agreement for your type of contribution. (This does not mean you are giving up your company’s intellectual property.)

  3. Develop Your
    Contribution

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    Leverage the power of collaboration in the OCP Projects to improve your development cycle. Use the OCP provided templates to create your contribution documents.

  4. Present to
    Community

    Speaker presenting at a podium

    Present your final draft to the selected OCP Project and incorporate feedback for project leadership approval before scheduling the Steering Committee presentation.

  5. Present to the
    Steering Committee

    Three committee members seated at a table

    Upload final contribution document(s) and presentation to OCP Contribution Hub for review and present during a monthly Steering Committee meeting.

  6. Publish!

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    After feedback from the Steering Committee is received and a majority of SC Reps vote to approve, the contribution will be published in the OCP Contribution Database.

For specific steps by contribution type, see below.

Contact [email protected] for questions or help with the contributions process.

Steps by Contribution Type

Please reference the specific steps needed depending on the type of contribution your organization is making.

Specifications

  1. Introduce yourself to the relevant Project Group(s) and discuss your interests.
  2. Submit a New Contribution Form to launch a workspace within the OCP Contribution Hub and submit an abstract for review and approval by the Project Leads.
  3. Sign a Contribution License Agreement (CLA) within the workflow.
  4. Write a specification using one of the following templates:
  5. Present to relevant Project Group(s).
  6. Address any feedback, upload the final document(s) to the OCP Contribution Hub, and receive approval from Project Leads and Steering Committee Rep to present to the Steering Committee in an upcoming meeting.
  7. Present to the OCP Steering Committee:
  8. The Steering Committee votes on the contribution. A majority of SC Reps must vote to approve.
  9. Waive the 30 day Opt-Out Period or wait for the Opt-Out Period to be over.
  10. OCP staff will make the work available on the OCP Contribution Database.

Design Files 

  1. Submit a New Contribution Form to launch a workspace within the OCP Contribution Hub.
  2. Sign a Contribution License Agreement (CLA) within the workflow.
  3. Make sure you follow the Design Package Guidelines.
  4. Present to relevant Project Group(s).
  5. Address any feedback and gain approval from Project Leads and Steering Committee Rep to present the contribution during an upcoming Steering Committee meeting.
  6. Present to the OCP Steering Committee:
  7. The Steering Committee votes on the contribution. A majority of SC Reps must vote to approve.
  8. Waive the 30 day Opt-Out Period or wait for the Opt-Out Period to be over.
  9. OCP staff will make the work available on the OCP Contribution Database.

Software 

  1. Introduce yourself to the relevant Project Group(s) and discuss your interests.
  2. Submit a New Contribution Form to launch a workspace within the OCP Contribution Hub.
  3. Sign a Software Contribution License Agreement (CLA) within the workflow.
  4. Write a specification using one of the following templates:
    • OCP Software Specification All-in-One Template (v1.3)
    • OCP Software Specification All-in-One BLANK Template (v1.3)
  5. Upload to OCP Github with the help of OCP staff and the Project Lead(s). Repo will be private for contributors.
  6. Present to relevant Project Group(s).
  7. Address any feedback, upload the final document(s) to the OCP Contribution Hub, and receive approval from Project Leads and Steering Committee Rep to present to the Steering Committee in an upcoming meeting.
  8. Present to the OCP Steering Committee:
  9. The Steering Committee votes on the contribution. A majority of SC Reps must vote to approve.
  10. Waive the 30 day Opt-Out Period or wait for the Opt-Out Period to be over.
  11. OCP staff will publish the software specification on the OCP Contribution Database.
  12. Repo is made public on OCP Github.

Documents / Whitepapers 

  1. Review the OCP Document Submission Guidelines.
  2. Submit a New Contribution Form to launch a workspace within the OCP Contribution Hub.
  3. Submissions must be routed through a relevant OCP Project. Provide an abstract to the Project Leader within the workflow.
  4. After the abstract is approved, create the full draft using the OCP Document Template and upload it to the workspace for review.
  5. Determine licensing for your contribution (Copyright License Agreement or Creative Commons CC0 4.0 License). You can review these agreements here.
  6. Present the completed submission to the Project and incorporate any feedback.
  7. Once the Project Lead and Steering Committee Rep have accepted the updated draft, the contribution will be sent to the Steering Committee (SC) for review.
  8. The SC has two weeks to review and provide any feedback.
  9. The final approved submission is published in the live Contribution Database.

Product Recognition 

  1. Follow directions for Product Recognition Program.
  2. Publish on OCP Marketplace.

For other contributions please contact [email protected] for guidance.