Inside an OSPO: What open source program managers actually do

Bryan Behrenshausen, Open Source Program Manager at SAS Institute, explains what OSPO managers actually do through the lens of three Ps: processes, policies, and projects. OSPOs handle inbound open source integration, outbound releases, and upstream contributions, requiring an executive sponsor who understands the business value. The software supply chain spotlight is a double-edged sword — it makes previously invisible work visible, but proposed remedies often burden volunteer maintainers with demands they lack resources to meet. Bryan also advises newcomers to contribute humbly regardless of size, and argues AI will change developer roles rather than replace them, similar to how calculators changed but didn't eliminate mathematicians.