Engagement Gap

The Engagement Gap metric measures the difference between expected and actual levels of contributor engagement. The dashboard shows the ratio of the difference between the contributor who comments the most over PRs vs. the contributor who comments the least.

Ratio

In a given period if a contributor has commented 10 times on one or more PRs and there is a contributor who has commented only once, the ratio is 1:10 or 10x (y-axis).

To illustrate the importance of the Engagement Gap Metric, consider the following example:

For an open-source project with 100 contributors but only 20 actively engaged users (e.g., responding to issues, contributing code, or participating in discussions), there is an engagement gap of 80%. This may indicate a lack of community involvement.

Interact with the chart

Why is the Engagement Gap Metric Important?

The Engagement Gap metric is a crucial tool for project maintainers, providing valuable insights into the project's engagement level and community dynamics. Here are three key reasons why this metric is important:

1. Performance Assessment

The Engagement Gap metric enables you to:

• Assess the project's overall engagement level against expected or desired levels

• Quantify contributor participation and identify gaps between expected and actual engagement levels

• Gain a clear understanding of the project's performance and areas for improvement

2. Community Health

The Engagement Gap metric helps you:

• Understand the health and dynamics of the project community

• Identify potential challenges, such as:

  • Communication issues

  • Lack of mentorship

  • Unclear contribution guidelines

• Recognize early warning signs of community issues before they become major problems

3. Targeted Outreach

By analyzing the engagement gap, project maintainers can:

• Focus outreach efforts on users who are already engaged with the project

• Increase the likelihood of retaining their interest and encouraging continued participation

• Develop targeted strategies to boost engagement and community growth

How to Improve Engagement Gap?

1. Set Clear Expectations: Clearly define the expected engagement levels for each project to provide a benchmark for comparison.

2. Encourage Collaboration: Foster a culture of collaboration within your team by encouraging open communication and sharing of ideas.

3. Provide Feedback: Regularly review the Engagement Gap metrics with your team and provide feedback on areas that need improvement.

4. Recognize Achievements: Acknowledge and reward team members who actively contribute to reducing the Engagement Gap, motivating others to follow suit.