Transparent reviews and ratings

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Cameron Milne

[GENERAL] Email address of main applicant

kirkstoneinvesting@gmail.com

Additional applicants

William Edgell

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

12

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language.

No

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

Yes

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.” .

We have decided to outsource developer hours/development for our project because it offers several significant advantages, that we have already seen by utilizing our partners:

1. Access to Expertise: By partnering with external developers, we gain access to their specialized knowledge and experience in blockchain development, user experience design and other relevant areas. Their expertise ensures that our project benefits from the best practices and industry standards, enhancing its quality and success. 
2. Scalability and Resource Availability: Outsourcing development allows us to scale the development team according to our project's needs. It ensures that we have the right resources allocated at the right time, minimizing any potential bottlenecks and ensuring timely delivery. We can tap into a wider pool of developers and find the right talent to support our project's requirements.
3. Time and Cost Efficiency: Outsourcing development proves to be more time and cost-efficient compared to building and maintaining an in-house team. It eliminates the need for extensive recruitment, training, and infrastructure setup, saving us valuable time and financial resources. We can leverage the existing infrastructure, tools, and workflows of our outsourcing partner, streamlining the development process.
4. Focus on Core Competencies: By outsourcing non-core development tasks, we can focus on our organization's core competencies and strategic planning. Rather than getting involved in day-to-day development activities, we can dedicate our resources to project management, strategic decision-making, and other areas specific to our organization. This ensures a more efficient allocation of our internal resources.
5. Mitigation of Skill Gaps: Outsourcing allows us to address any skill gaps within our internal team. If we lack specific technical expertise or experience in blockchain development, partnering with external developers fills those gaps. We can leverage their skills and knowledge to ensure a higher level of competence and quality in our project implementation.
6. Risk Mitigation: Collaborating with an experienced outsourcing provider mitigates risks associated with development. They often have established development processes, quality assurance practices, and project management methodologies. This reduces the risk of project delays, cost overruns, and technical challenges, ensuring a smoother and more successful project delivery.

By outsourcing developer hours/development, we are confident that we can leverage external expertise, scale our development resources, and optimize our project delivery, ultimately leading to the successful implementation of our review system. 

Our team brings extensive expertise in full stack development, with several years of experience in building robust software solutions. Additionally, we have gained valuable experience in developing on the Cardano platform for the past year. This experience has allowed us to become familiar with Cardano's unique ecosystem, tools, and development practices. With our strong technical background and in-depth knowledge of Cardano, we are well-equipped to successfully execute this project and deliver high-quality results.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] If NO, please describe which outputs are not going to be open source. If YES, please write “Project will be fully open source.”

Project will be fully open source!

[METADATA] Category of Proposal

Standards and Regulation

[METADATA] SDG rating

SDG goals:

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

SDG subgoals:

Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels

Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships

Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending

#proposertoolsdg

[IMPACT] Please describe your proposed solution.

The proposed product is a blockchain-based review and rating system designed to capture and immortalize user reviews within the Cardano blockchain. Users within the Kirkstone ecosystem, including those using the Erdos product, will have the ability to provide reviews and ratings for specific products, services, or experiences offered within the ecosystem.

When a user submits a review, it will be securely recorded on the Cardano blockchain, ensuring its immutability and transparency. The review will be associated with the corresponding product or service, such as the Erdos platform, and will be forever accessible, creating a permanent record of user feedback.

Initially, the review and rating system will be integrated within the Kirkstone ecosystem, including the Erdos product, serving as a pilot use case to gather feedback and validate its effectiveness. Once the system has proven its value and functionality within the Kirkstone ecosystem, we plan to extend it as a service to other projects within the Cardano ecosystem.

By offering the review and rating system as a service, other projects can easily integrate this proven solution into their own platforms, benefiting from its features and enhancing their user experiences. This expansion will foster a network effect, making the system a widely adopted standard for transparent and trustworthy reviews within the Cardano ecosystem.

The review and rating system, initially utilized within the Kirkstone ecosystem, will serve as a proof of concept, demonstrating its value and effectiveness. Once proven, it will be made available as a service to other projects, promoting transparency, accountability, and user confidence across the Cardano ecosystem.

This approach ensures that the review and rating system evolves with the changing needs of the community while providing a valuable service to project teams looking to enhance their platforms with a reliable feedback mechanism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKmzzWad27g

[IMPACT] How does your proposed solution address the challenge and what benefits will this bring to the Cardano ecosystem?

Our proposed solution addresses the challenge of unreliable feedback in the Cardano ecosystem by offering a blockchain-based review and rating system. It ensures transparent and immutable feedback, fostering trust and accountability. Users benefit from reliable and unbiased information, aiding informed decision-making. The system enhances user experiences, promotes community engagement, and drives ecosystem growth. With a focus on transparency, it establishes a trustworthy environment that attracts developers and users. By providing a reliable feedback mechanism, our solution strengthens the Cardano ecosystem, encouraging adoption and facilitating innovation.

[IMPACT] How do you intend to measure the success of your project?

The success of the project can be measured through key indicators:

1. User adoption and engagement rate: Measure the percentage increase in active users of the review and rating system over a specific time period.
2. Review submission rate: Track the average number of reviews submitted per user or per day to gauge user engagement and valuable feedback.
3. User Satisfaction Score: Conduct regular user satisfaction surveys to measure the overall satisfaction level of users with the review and rating system, aiming for a high satisfaction score.
4. Review Quality Score: Implement a rating system or user feedback mechanism to assess the quality and usefulness of reviews. Track the average quality score to ensure a high standard of user-generated content.
5. Integration Rate: Monitor the number of successful integrations of our review and rating system by other projects and services within the Cardano ecosystem.
6. Return Rate: Track the percentage of users who return to the review and rating system after their initial engagement, indicating the system's ability to retain users.

Tracking these indicators over time will provide insights into the success and impact of the project, guiding future improvements and further enhancing its value within the Cardano ecosystem.

[IMPACT] Please describe your plans to share the outputs and results of your project?

To ensure transparency, accountability, and robust community engagement, the project emphasizes effective communication and sharing of outputs and results. Key strategies include:

1. Comprehensive Documentation: Detailed reports and documentation will provide transparent insights into project progress, achieved milestones, key findings, repositories through GitHub, and outcomes.
2. Regular Updates: Frequent communications through monthly reports, Discord, Twitter, and Telegram will keep the community well-informed about significant milestones, new features, user statistics, and noteworthy developments.
3. Interactive Sessions: Engaging Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions will encourage direct community engagement, Q&As, and valuable feedback.
4. Success Stories and Use Cases: Examples highlighting real-world use cases, positive experiences, and user benefits will be shared via the project's website, blog, and social media channels etc. throughout.
5. Active Community Engagement: The project will actively encourage community participation through our channels (previously described), providing users with opportunities to share feedback, suggestions, and inquiries.
6. Collaborations and Partnerships: Strategic partnerships with other projects and organizations will extend the project's reach, leveraging shared resources and networks.
7. Open-Source Contribution: Contributions of relevant project components, tools, or code snippets to open-source repositories (such as GitHub) will foster knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation.

By implementing these strategies, the project aims to ensure transparency, foster community engagement, and effectively disseminate valuable knowledge and achievements within an inclusive and supportive environment.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

Our capacity to deliver projects with high levels of trust and accountability is underpinned by a combination of our robust operational measures, extensive track record, and a commitment to innovation. As an small part of the Cardano ecosystem, Kirkstone has consistently demonstrated resilience and dedication, even during challenging economic times.

One of our significant achievements, the development and implementation of the Kirkstone Rental Model (KRM), serves as a testament to our innovative approach and technical prowess. The KRM has laid a solid foundation for the majority of our front-end and back-end infrastructure, with its Cardano implementation in progress. Furthermore, our successful NFT sale, Initial Stake Pool Offering (ISPO), and token delivery have further bolstered our credibility.

Simultaneously, we prioritize and uphold trust in every project, recognizing its crucial role. To enhance this trust, we implement stringent security measures to protect user data and funds, comply with industry best practices, and perform regular security audits.

Moreover, transparency is a key aspect of our operations; hence, we provide regular updates, financial reports, and impact assessments. Our team comprises experienced professionals with a track record of successful project delivery. We commit to upholding the highest standards of trust and accountability throughout our projects. Therefore, our blend of innovative techniques, diverse skill sets, and unwavering dedication underlines our capability to deliver with high trust and accountability.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

Goals:

1. Develop a secure review system integrated with the Kirkstone ecosystem and Cardano.
2. Ensure transparent and reliable user feedback within Kirkstone, fostering trust and informed decision-making.
3. Drive user engagement and adoption within Kirkstone, enhancing its growth.
4. Enable seamless integration with other projects in the ecosystem.
5. Establish the review system as a valuable and widely used solution.

Feasibility Validation:

1. Conduct a feasibility analysis, aligning technical requirements with Kirkstone's capabilities.
2. Develop a proof of concept and gather user feedback within the Kirkstone Ecosystem to assess usability and effectiveness.
3. Iterative development, refining the system based on user feedback.
4. Implement the system within Kirkstone as a pilot, evaluating performance, adoption, and scalability.

By following this process within Kirkstone, we validate the feasibility, refine the system, and achieve our goals within the ecosystem.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please provide a detailed breakdown of your project’s milestones and each of the main tasks or activities to reach the milestone plus the expected timeline for the delivery.

Milestone 1: Project Initiation and Planning (Estimated timeline: 4 weeks)

• Conduct market research and competitor analysis
• Define project goals, scope, and success criteria
• Identify key stakeholders and establish communication channels

Milestone 2: System Design and Architecture (Estimated timeline: 4 weeks)

• Conduct requirements gathering and analysis
• Design the system architecture using industry-standard frameworks and best practices, utilizing UML diagrams and system modeling tools
• Define the database structure, considering scalability and data integrity, using SQL or NoSQL databases

Milestone 3: Core Features Development (Estimated timeline: 10 weeks)

• Implement review submission functionality using JavaScript or TypeScript
• Implement rating functionality using JavaScript or TypeScript
• Integrate the system with the Cardano blockchain using the Cardano Node and Cardano API, leveraging blockchain libraries and SDKs
• Implement user authentication mechanisms, incorporating encryption algorithms (e.g., AES) for secure storage and transmission of user data

Milestone 4: User Experience Enhancements (Estimated timeline: 8 weeks)

• Implement helpfulness voting feature with real-time communication protocols (e.g., WebSocket) for instant feedback
• Develop verified reviews functionality using cryptographic techniques (e.g., digital signatures) to verify authenticity
• Implement personalized recommendation algorithms using machine learning or collaborative filtering techniques

Milestone 5: Testing and Optimization (Estimated timeline: 10 weeks)

• Conduct unit testing using testing frameworks like Jest or Mocha to validate functionality of individual components and modules
• Perform integration testing to ensure seamless communication between different system modules and the Cardano blockchain
• Conduct system testing to evaluate overall performance, security, and scalability
• Address bugs or issues identified during testing

Milestone 6: Documentation and Deployment (Estimated timeline: 4 weeks)

• Prepare comprehensive technical documentation using tools like Markdown or LaTeX, detailing system architecture, API specifications, and development guidelines
• Publish documentation on a web-based platform or version control system (e.g., GitHub) to facilitate easy access and collaboration
• Deploy the review and rating system within the Cardano ecosystem, utilizing cloud-based hosting services (e.g., AWS, Azure) or on-premises infrastructure based on project requirements

Milestone 7: Pilot Implementation and Evaluation (Estimated timeline: 12 weeks)

• Integrate the review and rating system within the Kirkstone ecosystem by utilizing Kirkstone's APIs and aligning with their specific integration guidelines
• Monitor system performance, user adoption, and feedback
• Evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the review and rating system within the Kirkstone context

Regular reviews and adjustments of the timeline will be required as the project progresses to ensure realistic and achievable delivery.

[CAPABILITY/ FEASIBILITY] Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Milestone 1: Project Initiation and Planning 

• Deliverables: Market research and competitor analysis report, project goals and scope document, stakeholder communication plan.
• Outputs: Comprehensive understanding of the market landscape, clearly defined project objectives, and established communication channels.
• Intended Outcome: Lay the groundwork for the project, ensuring alignment with market needs and stakeholder expectations.

Milestone 2: System Design and Architecture 

• Deliverables: System architecture design, Database structure design, Smart contract specifications
• Outputs: Well-designed system architecture, defined database structure, clear smart contract specifications
• Intended Outcomes: Solid foundation for system development, efficient data management, secure operations

Milestone 3: Core Features Development 

• Deliverables: Review submission functionality, Rating functionality, Cardano blockchain integration, User authentication
• Outputs: User-friendly review submission and rating, seamless Cardano integration, secure user authentication
• Intended Outcomes: Core functionalities implemented effectively, transparency, and secure user interactions

Milestone 4: User Experience Enhancements 

• Deliverables: Helpfulness voting feature, Verified reviews functionality, Personalized recommendations
• Outputs: User-driven feedback mechanism, credibility through verified reviews, personalized recommendations
• Intended Outcomes: Increased user engagement, trust in reviews, improved user experience

Milestone 5: Testing and Optimization 

• Deliverables: Test plans, Bug tracking, Performance optimization
• Outputs: Thoroughly tested system, identified and addressed bugs, optimized performance
• Intended Outcomes: Robust and stable system, improved user experience, high performance

Milestone 6: Documentation and Deployment

• Deliverables: Technical documentation, Published documentation, Deployed system
• Outputs: Detailed technical documentation, accessible documentation, operational system
• Intended Outcomes: Clear guidance for future development, increased awareness, functional system availability

Milestone 7: Pilot Implementation and Evaluation

• Deliverables: Integrated system within Kirkstone ecosystem, Performance monitoring, Feasibility evaluation
• Outputs: System integration, performance metrics, feasibility assessment
• Intended Outcomes: Successful integration, insights from user feedback, assessment of feasibility

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

The rates used in the budget are based on industry standards and average hourly rates for different skill sets and expertise levels:

1. Cardano Development ($100/h): Cardano development requires specialized knowledge of the Cardano blockchain, Plutus smart contract development, and integration with the Cardano ecosystem. These skills are in high demand and command higher rates due to their specialized nature.
2. Full Stack Development ($70/h): Full stack developers possess a combination of frontend and backend development skills, including programming languages like JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and frameworks like React or Angular. Full stack developers have a broader skill set compared to specialized roles, and their rates reflect their versatility and expertise in multiple areas of development.
3. Other Activities ($50/h): This rate is applied to activities that are less technical in nature, such as market research, competitor analysis, project planning, gathering feedback, and conducting tests. These activities typically require less specialized skills and can be performed by professionals with general project management or research skills.

The rates used in the budget reflect a balance between the expertise required for each task and the prevailing industry rates. They aim to provide a reasonable estimation of the costs associated with each milestone based on the skill sets and effort required to complete the tasks effectively.

Milestone 1: Project Initiation and Planning

• Cost = $5,000

Milestone 2: System Design and Architecture

• Cost = $7,000

Milestone 3: Core Features Development 

• Cost = $22,000

Milestone 4: User Experience Enhancements 

• Cost = $19,600

Milestone 5: Testing and Optimization 

• Cost = $12,400

Milestone 6: Documentation and Deployment

• Cost = $4,000

Milestone 7: Pilot Implementation and Evaluation

• Cost = $5,600

ADA price we have assumed is $0.342298 - this is an average price of ADA since the close of Fund 9. 

Total cost = $76,200 = 222,613 ADA

[RESOURCES & VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The cost of the proposed project represents value for money for the Cardano ecosystem in several ways:

1. Enhanced User Experience: By implementing a reliable review system, users will have access to transparent and trustworthy feedback. This improves the overall user experience within the Cardano ecosystem, leading to increased user satisfaction and engagement.
2. Increased Trust and Confidence: The blockchain-based review system fosters transparency and accountability. Users can trust the authenticity and integrity of reviews, which builds confidence in the products and services offered on the Cardano platform. This, in turn, attracts more users and encourages adoption.
3. Informed Decision-Making: With a robust review system, users can make informed decisions based on reliable feedback. This benefits both users and developers by promoting high-quality products and services that align with user preferences, leading to a healthier and more competitive ecosystem.
4. Strengthened Community Engagement: The review system encourages active participation from the Cardano community. Users can share their experiences, provide feedback, and contribute to the growth and improvement of the ecosystem. This fosters a sense of community ownership and engagement.
5. Long-Term Value: Investing in a quality review system creates a foundation for ongoing ecosystem development. It establishes a feedback mechanism that can be leveraged by future projects and services within the Cardano ecosystem, further driving growth and innovation.

By allocating resources to the proposed project, the Cardano ecosystem can benefit from improved user experiences, increased trust, and a more vibrant and engaged community. The value generated by the project outweighs the cost, leading to long-term sustainability and growth for the Cardano ecosystem.

[IMPORTANT NOTE] The Applicant agreed to Fund10 rules and also that data in the Submission Form and other data provided by the project team during the course of the project will be publicly available.

I Accept