Interview with Sascha Grossenbacher about Drupal
Sascha Grossenbacher, CO-Founder MD Systems GmbH, has been actively involved in the Drupal community for over 18 years, both privately and professionally. We asked Sascha for some insights from the Drupal world and the global and collaborative work.
How did you join the Drupal community?
What makes Drupal's global collaborative work so interesting for you?
Sascha: The way we collaborate is exactly what I envision when it comes to communication and finding solutions. I have contributed to several open source projects and got to know various communities. But I've never encountered a community as great as the one at Drupal. The collaboration is close and a lot of people participate in the various projects. The structure, i.e. the processes within the collaboration, are what I need. And then finding a solution together is an incredibly great feeling.
Strong together
Working together collaboratively is very fulfilling for me. It's like a big puzzle that is being completed and optimized all over the world.
You are a sought-after developer and very well established in the community. How does that work?
Sascha: Just start, find your own area of expertise and build on it. Give feedback and suggest improvements. Especially at the beginning, this takes a bit of courage and overcoming, because with the first step into the community you already reveal your skills and show your own abilities. I got off to a very good start because the feedback culture appealed to me straight away and I was given a very warm welcome and immediately felt accepted and respected.
How are decisions made, who is responsible for initiating a solution?
Within Drupal, the person who introduces or makes a change usually has the lead. This person is responsible for ensuring that the project moves forward. The community then works together to find a solution. This usually involves at least three people.
Proposal (initiative) ➡️ Code ➡️ Review (community) 🔄 Repeat until ready ➡️
Final review ➡️ Commitment
The more you contribute to Drupal, the more visible your own skills and your actions / work become.
What is the appeal of your work for Drupal?
Sascha: The collaborative teamwork, solving problems and "thinking ahead" and developing fill me with joy. It's a great feeling to solve and create something together.
I can't really separate my professional and private lives here either, because the overlap is relatively high for me. In short, my job makes me happy.
Are there benefits with an investment?
It always depends on what is defined as a benefit. In the Drupal world, the most important benefit for me is the appreciation of the community (and yes, for me the exchange among like-minded people is also a benefit). Personally, working in the community has also supported me in my job search and can be a stable career companion for many due to the visibility within Drupal.
Finally, a tip for young people interested in open source?
For young people who are interested in open source, it is important to know their own skills and to focus on a subject area that really interests them. Fire and enthusiasm are important, especially when it comes to getting to know a new community, because it takes some perseverance to understand the complex processes within a community. Focus on something you can do and like.
