Challenges and benefits of developing an open-source project

The emergence of Free & Open-Source Software (FOSS) has transformed the software industry. In the recent years the interest in FOSS has grown exponentially, from individual developers to tech giants such as Google or Microsoft. This research presents the challenges and benefits of developing an open-source & full-stack "conference management" framework. The first aspect that is discussed in this study concerns the research, comparison and selection of the most appropriate workflow and open-source tools for development. The purpose of this project is not only to deliver a good product for the end user, but also to support the open-source movement and community in the development process. The development of an open-source "conference management" framework including a Web Application, a RESTful API and a Mobile Application is the second issue covered. Finally, all the challenges as well as the benefits derived from the development are outlined in order to prepare the reader both for the difficulties of undertaking and maintaining an open-source project as well as for the gains in personal, business and social context.