Final answer:
The potential risks of Novell's OpenSource strategy include increased competition and lack of control, while the benefits include cost savings and innovation. The critical execution challenges for Novell involve managing the OpenSource community and integrating OpenSource and proprietary software. Novell's unique history impacts execution challenges through legacy systems and the need for cultural change.
Step-by-step explanation:
1. The potential risks of the OpenSource strategy developed by Messman at Novell include:
- Increased competition: OpenSource allows for easy access to source code and encourages participation from a wide range of developers, which can lead to more competitors in the market.
- Lack of control: When relying on OpenSource software, the company has limited control over updates, bug fixes, and security patches, which can pose risks to the stability of their systems.
The potential benefits of the OpenSource strategy include:
- Cost savings: OpenSource software is often free or has a lower cost compared to proprietary solutions, which can be financially beneficial for Novell.
- Innovation: By collaborating with a community of developers, Novell can benefit from the collective knowledge and expertise, leading to faster innovation and improvement of their products.
2. The most critical execution challenges that Novell faces include:
- Managing the OpenSource community: Novell needs to effectively engage with and manage the community of developers to ensure productive collaboration and maintain a positive reputation.
- Integration of OpenSource and proprietary software: Novell needs to create a seamless integration between its proprietary software and the OpenSource solutions it adopts, ensuring compatibility and minimizing disruptions.
3. Novell's unique history affects execution challenges in several ways:
- Legacy systems: Novell may have legacy systems that need to be transitioned to OpenSource or integrated with OpenSource solutions, which can present technical and organizational challenges.
- Cultural change: Novell's employees may need to adapt their mindset and processes to align with the OpenSource approach, which requires effective change management.
4. Internally, Novell should focus on:
- Proper training and education: Novell should invest in training its employees on OpenSource technologies and methodologies to foster understanding and embrace the OpenSource culture.
- Streamlining processes: Novell should assess its internal processes and make necessary adjustments to ensure efficient collaboration and decision-making within an OpenSource environment.
5. Externally, Novell should consider:
- Engaging with the OpenSource community: Novell should actively participate in the community, contribute to projects, and establish strong relationships to leverage the collective power of the community.
- Building partnerships: Novell should seek strategic partnerships with other companies and organizations that align with its OpenSource strategy, allowing for collaborative development and shared knowledge.