[OAM-talk] What is the business elevator pitch?

[Cameron Shorter]

Schuyler Erle wrote:
> How about "OpenAerialMap is a community-driven effort to provide
> reliable access to imagery of the Earth's surface on a Free and Open
> basis"? I think the rest is details.
>   
Reading the above message as an employee of government agency and 
potential sponsor and contributor:

"I get the message that this is some cool project that a bunch of 
volunteers is putting together. I'll make sure I watch to see what 
happens and I might even help out in my spare time. I'm not going to get 
my agency involved because there is no way I'll be able to get the 
purchasing department to give me budget for some hackers on the other 
side of the world. I don't have a clear 'Return on Investment' statement 
I can put forward, and someone accountable to give the money to who will 
make sure it happens."

Bootstrapping OAM is a bit harder than a usual Open Source project 
because it needs money (hardware). And consequently I believe it is 
important to bring sponsors into the project earlier rather than later, 
with a suitable business case.

So the details are important. The details need not be rattled off now, 
but I think it worth investing in early.


> SDE
>
> On Sat, 2009-11-07 at 07:55 +1100, Cameron Shorter wrote:
>   
>> I've been wondering how I can let key Australian agencies know about the 
>> latest buzz about OAM with an eye for encouraging them to get involved 
>> and I am unclear where to point them.
>>
>> At some point I suggest describing the OAM project in business terms.
>>
>> In particular:
>> * Who do you want to sponsor this project?
>> * What value is in it for the sponsor?
>> * What do you want sponsors to provide?
>> ** Maps? What licence do the maps need to be under for them to be 
>> useful? To maximise benefit, all maps should be under the same license. 
>> If that can't be achieved, then specify acceptable licenses, and 
>> recommend a preferred license.
>> ** Hosting Nodes?
>> ** Money? For what? (Answer for this probably comes from the Technical 
>> discussion)
>> ** Who is already committed to the project? Agencies will be more likely 
>> to come on board if they see a critical mass. Government agencies also 
>> like to make contracts with agencies, not volunteers on an email list.
>>
>> Be clear and specific about what you are looking for. This will help a 
>> government employee write a business case to get an agencies maps 
>> released, or get funding to support OAM.
>>
>>     
>
>
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>   


-- 
Cameron Shorter
Geospatial Solutions Manager
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Mob: +61 (0)419 142 254

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