Negotiating Tool Licences
Negotiating Tool Licences refers to the process undertaken by enabling teams to obtain and manage licences for various software tools that support product development and operations.
Purpose
The primary purpose of negotiating tool licences is to secure the necessary software tools at optimal costs and conditions, ensuring that product teams have the resources they need to deliver high-quality products efficiently.
- Cost Efficiency: Ensures that the organisation does not overspend on software licences.
- Legal Compliance: Guarantees compliance with software licensing laws and regulations.
- Access to Tools: Provides teams with the tools necessary for their work, potentially with enhanced features unlocked through favourable licensing agreements.
Context
With decentralised decision-making in product organisations, individual teams may select and use tools independently. Many teams may end up using the same tools, or functionally equivalent similar tools. By having a team responsible for identifying duplication and negotiating licences centrally, the organisation can streamline costs and ensure consistency in tool usage.
Inputs
| Artifact | Description |
|---|---|
| Identified Tools | List of software tools used across teams. |
| Tool Recommendations | A list of tools recommended by the Enabling Teams, including open-source products and commercial tools. |
Outputs
| Artifact | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing Agreements | Finalised contracts outlining the terms under which tools may be used. | Ensures legal compliance and access to necessary tools. |
Anti-patterns
- Overcommitting on Long-term Deals: Locking in tools for long periods without considering changing needs.
- Under-negotiating Terms: Failing to leverage competitive offers to secure better terms.
- Ignoring Usage Metrics: Not monitoring tool usage, leading to wasted resources on unused licences.
- Neglecting Team Feedback: Overlooking input from actual tool users, potentially sticking with suboptimal tools.