Next-Gen Cardano Explorer: Advanced Cardano Smart Contract Analytics & Dashboard

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Leykun Ejigu

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

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

8

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

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

We will develop a dedicated comprehensive smart contract analytics with real-time dashboards, execution metrics, and in-depth contract behavior analysis tools for developers and users.

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

No

[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.”

N/A

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

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

All outputs of the Cardano Smart Contract Analytics & Dashboard Engine will be fully open source and released under the MIT License. This includes:

• Codebase: The entire codebase for the analytics dashboard, including the frontend, backend, and data processing engine, will be open to the public. This allows developers to contribute, modify, and extend the functionalities to meet specific needs.
• Smart Contract Analytics Models: We will share all data models and analysis algorithms used to track smart contract performance and security metrics. This ensures that the community can validate, improve, and build upon these analytics.
• Data Visualization Components: Visualization templates and components that make it easy to interpret and present the data will also be available as open source. This enables others to create their own dashboards and data displays using our groundwork.
• Project Documentation: Comprehensive documentation, including user guides, development guidelines, and technical specifications, will be available for the community to facilitate adoption and further development.

Our commitment to open source aims to empower the Cardano developer ecosystem by providing transparent, reliable, and accessible tools. We believe that by sharing our technology and methodologies, we will encourage collaborative development, foster innovation, and create a more robust infrastructure for smart contract analytics on the Cardano blockchain.

[METADATA] Horizons

Analytics

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our advanced Cardano explorer will revolutionize smart contract analytics on the Cardano blockchain, addressing the critical need for in-depth contract analysis and performance optimization tools. We perceive the current lack of detailed smart contract analytics as a significant barrier to Cardano's growth and adoption, particularly among developers and power users who require granular insights into contract behavior and performance.

Key features of our solution include:

1. Real-time Smart Contract Dashboard:

• Live execution metrics
• Gas usage analysis
• Transaction volume and value flows
• Interaction patterns between contracts

1. Contract Performance Optimizer:

• Identifies inefficiencies in contract execution
• Suggests optimizations for gas usage and execution speed
• Comparative analysis with similar contracts

1. Visual Contract Flow Analyzer:

• Interactive visualizations of contract logic and execution paths
• Helps in understanding complex contract interactions

1. Historical Data Analysis:

• Trend analysis of contract usage and performance over time
• Anomaly detection in contract behavior

1. Developer-friendly API:

• Allows integration of analytics into development environments
• Supports custom queries for specialized analysis

Our approach is unique in its focus on developer experience and deep contract analysis. By providing these tools, we aim to:

• Empower developers to create more efficient and robust smart contracts
• Enhance transparency for users interacting with smart contracts
• Facilitate easier auditing and bug detection in contracts

The project will engage:

• Smart contract developers
• DApp creators
• Blockchain analysts and researchers
• Cardano community members and stakeholders

To demonstrate our impact, we will:

• Track the number of developers and projects using our explorer
• Measure improvements in contract efficiency for projects using our tools
• Collect user feedback and case studies
• Monitor the growth of smart contract deployment and usage on Cardano

This solution is crucial for Cardano as it will significantly enhance the platform's smart contract capabilities, making it more attractive for developers and potentially accelerating the growth of the Cardano DeFi ecosystem. By providing superior analytics and optimization tools, we aim to position Cardano as the blockchain of choice for sophisticated smart contract development and deployment.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Our project will significantly enhance the Cardano community by providing a robust smart contract analytics and dashboard tool that empowers developers, investors, and stakeholders with actionable insights. This enhancement will lead to improved smart contract performance, increased security, and more informed investment decisions, thereby fostering a more vibrant and trustworthy Cardano ecosystem.

Value to the Cardano Community:

1. Enhanced Developer Capabilities: Developers will have access to detailed metrics and analytics, enabling them to optimize smart contract performance, identify and resolve issues promptly, and implement best practices more effectively.
2. Informed Investment Decisions: Investors will benefit from comprehensive data on smart contract performance and security, allowing them to assess risks and opportunities with greater precision, thereby attracting more investment into the Cardano ecosystem.
3. Improved Security and Trust: By providing real-time security alerts and comprehensive monitoring tools, our dashboard will help in early detection of vulnerabilities and potential threats, increasing overall trust in Cardano’s smart contracts.
4. Increased Transparency: The dashboard will offer transparent insights into smart contract activities, promoting accountability and fostering a more open and collaborative community environment.
5. Community Engagement: By making complex analytics accessible and user-friendly, we will engage a broader segment of the community, including non-technical members, thereby driving wider adoption and participation in Cardano’s growth.

Measuring Impact:

We will implement a combination of quantitative and qualitative metrics to assess the impact of our project:

1. User Adoption Rates: Tracking the number of active users, including developers, investors, and other stakeholders utilizing the dashboard.
2. Smart Contracts Monitored: Measuring the total number of smart contracts being tracked and analyzed through our platform.
3. Security Alerts Issued: Monitoring the frequency and effectiveness of security alerts and how they contribute to mitigating vulnerabilities.
4. User Satisfaction Scores: Collecting feedback through surveys and user interviews to gauge satisfaction and identify areas for improvement.
5. Performance Improvements: Assessing the optimization of smart contracts by analyzing performance metrics before and after using the dashboard.
6. Investment Growth: Monitoring any increase in investments into Cardano projects that utilize our analytics tool, indicating greater investor confidence.

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

1. Public Dashboard Access: The analytics dashboard will be accessible to all Cardano community members through a web-based platform, ensuring widespread availability and ease of use.
2. Regular Reports and Insights: We will publish monthly and quarterly reports highlighting key metrics, trends, and insights derived from the dashboard, sharing these with the community via the Cardano forums, social media channels, and newsletters.
3. Open Source Contributions: Where applicable, we will contribute components of our dashboard to the open-source community, encouraging collaboration and continuous improvement.
4. Workshops and Webinars: Hosting educational sessions to demonstrate the dashboard’s features, best practices for utilizing analytics, and how to interpret key metrics effectively.
5. Partnerships with Development Teams: Collaborating with Cardano development teams and projects to integrate our analytics tool into their workflows, providing tailored support and maximizing the tool’s utility.
6. Community Feedback Loops: Establishing channels for ongoing feedback and suggestions from users, ensuring that the dashboard evolves in alignment with community needs and preferences.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Our team possesses a unique blend of skills and experience that makes us exceptionally well-suited to deliver this advanced Cardano explorer with smart contract analytics:

Team Composition:

Blockchain Development:

• Team members with 3+ years of experience in blockchain development, with a strong focus on Cardano.
• Deep understanding of Cardano's architecture, smart contract functionality, and the intricacies of its transaction model.

Data Analytics and Visualization:

• Specialists with 3-4 years of experience in big data analytics, real-time data processing, and creating interactive dashboards.

Full Stack Development:

• Seasoned full stack developers with 4+ years of experience in building robust, scalable web applications with business and personal analytics dashboard.
• Expertise in developing high-performance, user-friendly blockchain dapps.

Smart Contract Optimization:

• Experts in smart contract development and optimization, with a deep understanding of execution metrics and gas efficiency.

Project Management:

• Experienced project managers well-versed in agile methodologies and project lifecycles.
• Track record of delivering complex technical projects on time and within budget.

Project Delivery Approach:

To ensure trust and accountability, we will implement the following strategies:

• Transparent Progress Tracking:Utilize a public GitHub repository for code development and issue tracking.
• Regular updates to the Cardano community through blog posts and social media.
• Community Engagement:Regular feedback sessions with developers and users to refine the explorer based on real-world needs.
• Open channels for feature requests and bug reports.

Fund Management Approach:

• Structured Planning and Milestones:Detailed project roadmap with defined timelines and deliverables.
• Regular financial reports to ensure transparency in fund allocation.
• Resource Allocation:Clear budget breakdown for each project phase.
• Continuous monitoring of expenses against project progress.
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Feasibility Validation:

To validate our approach, we will focus on:

1. Prototype Development: Create a minimum viable product (MVP) of the explorer with basic smart contract analytics to validate our technical approach and user interface design.
2. Performance Testing: Conduct rigorous testing to ensure the explorer can handle real-time data processing for the Cardano network.
3. Community Beta Testing: Engage a select group of Cardano developers and power users for early access and feedback, allowing us to refine our approach based on real user needs.
4. Iterative Development: Implement an agile development process with regular sprints and demos, allowing for continuous improvement and adaptation.
5. Scalability Assessment: Continuously evaluate the scalability of our solution as we add more advanced features, ensuring it can grow with the Cardano ecosystem.
6. Compliance and Security Audits: Conduct regular security audits and ensure compliance with best practices for blockchain data handling and visualization.

Our structured approach, combined with our team's deep expertise in Cardano development and blockchain analytics, ensures that we can deliver this next-generation explorer with the highest standards of trust, accountability, and technical excellence.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Project Planning, Technical Design, and UI/UX Design

A. Milestone Outputs

1. Project Planning:

• Develop a comprehensive project roadmap outlining key deliverables, timelines, and dependencies.
• Identify required resources, including team roles, tools, and technology stack needed for successful project execution.

1. Technical Design:

• Design the backend architecture for data aggregation from the Cardano blockchain.
• Define the database structure to support secure and scalable storage of smart contract metrics and analytics data.
• Outline integration points with the Cardano blockchain for real-time data collection.

1. UI/UX Design:

• Create initial wireframes and mockups for the platform's user interface, focusing on user flow and interaction design.
• Produce high-fidelity prototypes based on the wireframes to finalize the design.

B. Acceptance Criteria

• A detailed project roadmap is created, covering milestones, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Technical design documentation is completed, including architecture diagrams, data flow models, and database schema.
• UI/UX wireframes, mockups, and high-fidelity prototypes are developed, aligning with the platform's design principles.
• 
  

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Link to the project planning documents in PDF format, technical design specifications, and UI/UX design prototypes.
• Architecture diagrams, database schema files, and wireframes uploaded to the project repository.

Milestone 2: Backend Development

A. Milestone Outputs

1. Backend Infrastructure Implementation:

• Develop and deploy the backend infrastructure to handle data aggregation from the Cardano blockchain.
• Integrate API endpoints for seamless data retrieval and interaction with the Cardano blockchain.
• Ensure scalability and security measures are implemented within the backend system.

1. Data Processing and Storage:

• Implement data processing pipelines to handle smart contract metrics and analytics data in real-time.
• Optimize database performance for efficient data storage and retrieval, focusing on scalability and high availability.

1. Integration Testing:

• Conduct comprehensive integration tests to validate the connectivity between the backend system and the Cardano blockchain.
• Ensure all data aggregation and processing functionalities work seamlessly under different scenarios.

B. Acceptance Criteria

• Backend infrastructure is fully developed, with API endpoints operational and integrated with the Cardano blockchain.
• Data processing pipelines are set up, capable of handling the expected data load with optimized performance.
• Successful completion of integration tests, verifying the reliability and accuracy of data aggregation and processing.
• Security measures are documented and implemented to protect data integrity and system stability.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Link to the GitHub repository with commit history detailing the backend implementation.
• Test reports or logs from integration testing, demonstrating successful data aggregation and processing.
• Documentation of the backend infrastructure, including security protocols, API endpoints, and data flow diagrams.

Milestone 3: Frontend Development and Dashboard Interface

A. Milestone Outputs

• Design and develop the user interface for the analytics dashboard.
• Integrate frontend with backend services to display real-time smart contract metrics.
• Implement key visualization components (e.g., charts, graphs, tables) for data representation.

B. Acceptance Criteria

• User interface is intuitive, responsive, and aligns with UX/UI best practices.
• Frontend successfully retrieves and displays data from the backend without significant latency.
• All key visualization components function correctly and accurately represent the underlying data.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Screenshots or a live demo of the developed dashboard interface showcasing various metrics and visualizations.
• User interface design documents and wireframes.
• Test reports verifying the integration between frontend and backend services.

Milestone 4: Beta Launch and Community Engagement

A. Milestone Outputs

1. Beta Testing:

• Conduct comprehensive testing of the platform, including unit tests, integration tests, and user acceptance tests.
• Invite early adopters and community members to participate in the beta testing phase, gathering insights on usability and functionality.

1. Performance Optimization:

• Optimize the platform's performance to ensure real-time data processing capabilities and minimal load times.
• Fine-tune the system to handle the expected user load efficiently, maintaining a smooth user experience.

B. Acceptance Criteria

• All critical and major issues identified during testing are resolved to ensure a stable and reliable platform.
• Platform performance meets predefined benchmarks for speed, responsiveness, and reliability under expected usage conditions.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Test coverage reports and issue tracking logs showing the resolution of identified bugs.
• Performance benchmarking results and documentation of optimization strategies implemented.

Final Milestone: Deployment, Documentation, and Project Close-out

A. Milestone Outputs

• Deploy the analytics dashboard to a live environment accessible to the Cardano community.
• Create comprehensive user documentation and tutorials to facilitate onboarding.
• Prepare and submit the Project Close-out Report and a summary video showcasing the project’s features and achievements.

B. Acceptance Criteria

• Dashboard is live and accessible to users with no critical deployment issues.
• Documentation is complete, clear, and helps users effectively utilize the dashboard.
• Close-out report and summary video meet Catalyst’s submission requirements and clearly demonstrate project outcomes and impact.

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Link to the live deployed dashboard.
• Access to user documentation, tutorials, and guides.
• Submission of the Project Close-out Report and the summary video as per Catalyst’s guidelines.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

1: Dawit Mekonnen - Blockchain Developer,Web Developer and Project Manager

• Fullstack developer | Node.js | React | svelte | Next.js | sveltekit | Postgress | Typescript | Docker
• LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn account
• GitHub: github account
• Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate (CBCA)

• projects:
• Svelte faces
• Canvas Text
• Role: Responsible for web development, focusing on Web-development, UI/UX design and implementation of Dashboards and Analytics. Dawit brings expertise in creating an intuitive and engaging user interface.

 2: Leykun Ejigu - Blockchain Developer, AI Engineer, Backend and Devops | Top Talent Freelancer

• Back-end development.
• AI engineer
• LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn account
• Upwork account
• Github account
• Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate (CBCA)

• Role: Leykun is responsible for the Backend Infrastructure, DevOps aspects within the project.

3: Rufael Fekade - Machine Learning Researcher and Engineer with Machine Learning Major at MBZUAI

• Linkedin Profile: Linkedin account
• Role: Rufael is responsible for the Real time data processing and Analytics aspect of the project, AI powered search functionality.

4: Yeabesera Derese - Web developer, Developer Advocate

• LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn account
• Role: Responsible for preparing tutorials, documentations and developer community engagement.

5. Michael Hailu - Management and Operations

• Role: Responsible for Managing day to day operations, and scope out project plans

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Research and Planning (Milestone 1):

Cost: 20,000 ADA

Details:

- Analysis of current Cardano explorers and identification of gaps in smart contract analytics. - Defining requirements for advanced contract analysis features and real-time dashboards.

- Technical architecture design and project roadmap creation.

Backend Development (Milestone 2):

Cost: 48,000 ADA

Details:

- Development of robust data processing pipeline for smart contract analytics.

- Implementation of high-performance database for storing and querying contract data. - Creation of APIs for real-time contract performance metrics and interaction patterns.

Frontend Development (Milestone 3):

Cost: 35,000 ADA Details:

- Design and implementation of interactive dashboards for smart contract analytics.

- Development of visual contract flow analyzer and performance optimization tools.

- Integration of real-time data visualization for contract interactions and metrics.

Testing and Optimization (Milestone 4):

Cost: 25,000 ADA

Details:

- Comprehensive testing of analytics accuracy and real-time data processing.

- Performance optimization for handling large-scale smart contract data.

- Beta testing with Cardano developers and gathering feedback for improvements.

Deployment and Community Engagement (Final Milestone):

Cost: 18,000 ADA

Details:

- Deployment of the explorer to Cardano mainnet.

- Creation of documentation and tutorials for using advanced analytics features.

- Community workshops and webinars to demonstrate explorer capabilities.

Total Cost: 146,000 ADA

Additional Details Third-Party Services and Infrastructure:

• Cloud Services: Significant allocation for high-performance computing resources, including dedicated servers and specialized blockchain data processing clusters.
• Data Management: Investment in robust database systems capable of handling large volumes of blockchain data with high read/write speeds.
• Analytics Software: Licenses for advanced analytics and data visualization tools to provide real-time insights into smart contract behavior.

Data Processing and Storage:

• Allocation for setting up and maintaining a scalable data pipeline capable of processing the entire Cardano blockchain history and real-time transactions.
• Implementation of efficient data indexing and querying mechanisms for fast retrieval of smart contract analytics.

Security and Compliance:

• Funds allocated for regular security audits and implementation of best practices for handling sensitive blockchain data.

Community and Documentation:

• Resources for creating comprehensive API documentation, usage guides, and interactive examples to facilitate adoption among developers and analysts.
• Budget for hosting developer workshops and creating educational content about utilizing the explorer for smart contract optimization.

Contingency and Scalability:

• Funds distributed across milestones to address unexpected technical challenges or necessary infrastructure upgrades.
• Allocation for potential scaling needs as the Cardano ecosystem and smart contract usage grow.

Budget Justification

• Infrastructure Focus: Significant investment in high-performance computing resources and data management systems to ensure the explorer can handle the data-intensive nature of blockchain analytics.
• Scalability: Emphasis on building a robust, scalable infrastructure that can grow with the Cardano ecosystem.
• Performance: Allocation for specialized tools and environments to optimize the explorer's performance, ensuring real-time analytics capabilities.
• Community-Centric: Despite the infrastructure focus, maintaining a strong emphasis on documentation and community engagement to drive adoption and gather valuable feedback.

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

Value for Money

Our proposed budget for the Cardano Smart Contract Analytics & Dashboard project is meticulously designed to deliver maximum value to the Cardano ecosystem while ensuring efficient and responsible use of funds. Here's how our costs represent excellent value for money:

1. Justification of Costs

• Personnel Costs:
• Competitive Industry Rates: The salaries allocated for backend and frontend developers, data scientists, UI/UX designers, project manager, and QA/testers are based on current industry standards and average wages in our region. For instance, hiring skilled blockchain developers typically ranges between 5,000 to 7,000 ADA per month per developer, ensuring we attract and retain top talent necessary for a high-quality product.
• Specialized Expertise: Investing in experienced professionals with specific expertise in Cardano and blockchain analytics ensures that the project is executed efficiently and to a high standard, reducing the need for costly revisions or delays.
• Software & Tools:
• Essential Services: The costs for cloud hosting (e.g., AWS/Azure), database services (e.g., AWS RDS), and analytics tools (e.g., Tableau/PowerBI) are based on actual quotes from service providers. These tools are crucial for building a scalable, secure, and efficient analytics platform.

• Marketing & Community Engagement:
• Targeted Outreach: Budgeting for promotional materials, webinars, workshops, and social media campaigns ensures effective community engagement and widespread adoption of the dashboard. These activities are essential for building awareness and driving user adoption, which are critical for the project's success.
• Cost-Effective Strategies: Utilizing a mix of digital marketing and community events provides a balanced approach to reaching diverse stakeholders without incurring excessive costs.
• Documentation & Reporting:
• Comprehensive Resources: Investing in high-quality user guides, tutorials, and project reporting tools ensures that users can effectively utilize the dashboard and that the project's progress is transparently communicated to stakeholders.
• Professional Quality: High-standard documentation and reporting materials enhance user experience and trust, contributing to long-term sustainability and community support.
• Miscellaneous & Contingency:
• Risk Mitigation: Allocating a contingency fund addresses unforeseen expenses, ensuring that the project can adapt to challenges without compromising on quality or timelines.

2. Proportionality and Market Standards

• Benchmarking Against Similar Projects:
• Our budget aligns with similar blockchain analytics projects in the industry, which typically require substantial investment in both development and security to ensure reliability and trustworthiness.
• By benchmarking our costs against these projects, we ensure that our budget is both competitive and realistic, avoiding underfunding or overspending.
• Value-Driven Allocation:
• Each budget category directly contributes to the project's core objectives, ensuring that funds are allocated where they can generate the highest impact. For example, substantial investment in backend development and security directly enhances the dashboard's functionality and safety, which are paramount for user trust and adoption.

3. Long-Term Benefits and Return on Investment

• Enhanced Ecosystem Tools:
• By providing comprehensive analytics and key metrics for Cardano smart contracts, our dashboard empowers developers and investors to make informed decisions, leading to higher quality smart contracts and increased investment in the Cardano ecosystem.
• Improved smart contract performance and security contribute to the overall robustness and attractiveness of the Cardano platform, fostering long-term growth and sustainability.
• Scalability and Future-Proofing:
• Investing in scalable infrastructure and robust security measures ensures that the dashboard can grow alongside the Cardano ecosystem, accommodating increasing data volumes and evolving user needs without requiring significant additional investment.
• Community Empowerment:
• Effective marketing and community engagement initiatives foster a strong user base and active participation, creating a network effect that enhances the dashboard’s value and utility over time.

4. Efficient Fund Management and Accountability

• Transparent Financial Practices:
• Our commitment to detailed budget planning, regular financial reporting, and transparent accounting ensures that every ADA spent is accounted for and aligned with project milestones and objectives.
• Regular audits and open access to financial documentation build trust with the Cardano community, demonstrating our dedication to responsible fund management.
• Agile and Adaptive Project Management:
• Utilizing Agile methodologies allows us to efficiently manage resources, adapt to changing requirements, and deliver incremental value, ensuring that funds are used effectively throughout the project lifecycle.

5. Supporting Evidence and Market Rates

• Competitive Salaries:
• According to industry surveys, the average monthly salary for a blockchain developer ranges between 4,000 to 6,000 ADA, which is reflected in our personnel budget. This ensures that we attract qualified professionals without overpaying.
• Service Costs:
• Cloud hosting and database service costs are based on current market rates provided by AWS and Azure, ensuring that we are not overestimating or underestimating necessary expenditures.