# HOT Tasking Manager > open source tool for coordinating volunteers and organizing groups to contribute to OpenStreetMap **Wikidata**: [Q100511474](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100511474) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hot-tasking-manager ## Summary The HOT Tasking Manager is an open-source tool developed by the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team to coordinate volunteers and organize groups contributing to OpenStreetMap. It functions as a tasking manager and subproject of OpenStreetMap, allowing users to divide mapping work into manageable sections. The platform is distinct from the OpenStreetMap U.S. Tasking Manager, which is a fork focused on the United States. ## Key Facts - **Classification:** Instance of a tasking manager, open-source software, and OpenStreetMap subproject. - **Developer:** Owned and developed by the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team. - **Primary Function:** Coordinates volunteers and organizes groups for contributions to OpenStreetMap. - **Software License:** Licensed under the 2-clause BSD License (code) and Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International. - **Technology Stack:** Built using the Python programming language. - **Website:** Accessible at `tasks.hotosm.org` (available in English and multiple other languages). - **Source Code:** Hosted on GitHub at `github.com/hotosm/tasking-manager`. - **Known Aliases:** Also known as the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team Task Manager, OSM Tasking Manager, and OpenStreetMap Tasking Manager. - **Relation to Other Entities:** Distinct from the OpenStreetMap U.S. Tasking Manager, which is a fork focused on U.S. mapping. ## FAQs ### Q: Who develops and maintains the HOT Tasking Manager? A: The tool is owned and developed by the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team. It is named after this organization. ### Q: What programming language is the HOT Tasking Manager built with? A: The software is built using Python, a general-purpose programming language. ### Q: Is the HOT Tasking Manager the same as the OpenStreetMap U.S. Tasking Manager? A: No, they are distinct entities. The OpenStreetMap U.S. Tasking Manager is a fork and instance of the HOT Tasking Manager that is specifically focused on the United States and contributions to Public Domain Map. ### Q: Under what licenses is the software released? A: The software code is available under the 2-clause BSD License. Additionally, the project uses a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license. ## Why It Matters The HOT Tasking Manager plays a critical role in the digital humanitarian and mapping ecosystem by solving the logistical challenge of coordinating large numbers of distributed volunteers. As an open-source software project, it provides a libre and accessible platform that lowers the barrier to entry for contributing to OpenStreetMap, the free, editable map of the world. By allowing the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team to organize groups effectively, the tool ensures that mapping efforts are non-redundant and systematic. This coordination is essential for maintaining data quality during emergency response or community development projects where accurate geospatial data is vital. The existence of forks like the OpenStreetMap U.S. Tasking Manager further demonstrates its adaptability and utility as a model for other geographic regions and use cases, such as contributing to the Public Domain Map. Its implementation in Python and open licensing encourages a community-driven approach to development and translation. ## Notable For - Being a primary tool for coordinating volunteers for OpenStreetMap contributions. - Operating as an open-source subproject of OpenStreetMap. - Having a specific fork adapted for United States mapping needs (OpenStreetMap U.S. Tasking Manager). - Offering multi-language support through platforms like Transifex. - Utilizing a permissive 2-clause BSD License for its source code. ## Body ### Nature and Usage The HOT Tasking Manager is an open-source tool designed specifically for coordinating volunteers and organizing groups to contribute to OpenStreetMap. It is classified as a "tasking manager," a type of software that breaks down large mapping projects into smaller, manageable tasks that can be assigned to or claimed by individual mappers. ### Development and Ownership The tool is owned and developed by the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team, from which it derives its name. It is considered an OpenStreetMap subproject. The software is copyrighted but freely available, fitting the definition of open-source software where users have libre access to the original source code. ### Technical Specifications The application is built using the Python programming language. Its source code is publicly hosted on GitHub for review and contribution. Translation and localization efforts for the software are managed via Transifex, supporting its availability in English and multiple other languages. ### Licensing The project utilizes a dual-licensing approach: * **Code:** Licensed under the 2-clause BSD License. * **Content:** Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International. ### Related Projects The HOT Tasking Manager serves as the foundation for other mapping tools. Notably, the **OpenStreetMap U.S. Tasking Manager** is identified as a fork and instance of the HOT Tasking Manager. While the original tool focuses on global humanitarian efforts, the U.S. instance focuses specifically on the United States and contributions to both OpenStreetMap and the Public Domain Map. ## References 1. [Source](https://github.com/hotosm/tasking-manager/blob/9e31d4d1635ec631c3ac8472ea2c99013ecf5990/LICENSE.md) 2. [Source](https://tasks.hotosm.org/)