Abstract

This research investigates how open-source software (OSS) developers utilize tools and resources for project management within their unique, collaborative ecosystem. Traditional project management approaches often fail in the decentralized, volunteer-driven context of OSS. This study employs a quantitative approach, using Mining Software Repositories (MSR) techniques to analyze data from publicly available GitHub and GitLab projects. We examine commit activity, collaboration patterns (pull requests, issues), code churn, and developer networks. Specific platform features like GitHub Actions and project boards will also be analyzed. The study focuses on popular, active projects in a single programming language to control for variations. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, time series analysis, correlation analysis, and network analysis. While acknowledging limitations related to data availability and causality, this research aims to identify effective project management practices in OSS, offering actionable insights for practitioners and informing future research incorporating qualitative methods to enhance contextual understanding.