Cardano Governance Optimization Research

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Jennifer Duodu

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

Individual

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

6

[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)

To study current governance models within Cardano, identifying inefficiencies and propose new governance structures and scaling methods to enhance decision-making processes as Cardano grows.

[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 rely on several external dependencies that are essential for successful delivery of this project. Below is the outline of these dependencies and their significance:

1)     Data from Cardano’s Existing Governance Mechanisms:

We rely on the access to historical governance data to analyze current inefficiencies and to understand the user participation trends. This data will help us identify the bottlenecks and areas for improvement in the existing governance frameworks.

2)     Collaboration with Community Stakeholders:

Engage with community members, particularly dReps and governance experts, to gain valuable insights. Their perspectives are vital for identifying the challenges faced by users in the current system. We plan to conduct interviews and surveys to gather this information.

3)     Partnerships with Research Institutions:

We aim to collaborate with academic and research institutions that specialize in governance and blockchain technology. These partnerships will enhance the rigor of our research and provide access to additional resources and expertise.

4)     Technical Support for Simulations:

Implementing the proposed governance models requires technical support to develop simulations effectively. We plan to involve collaboration with developers familiar with Cardano’s infrastructure, so as to ensure accurate modeling.

[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 research outputs, including frameworks, white papers, and governance proposals, will be made fully open-source. Allowing contributions, reviews, and implementation by the broader Cardano community, fostering transparency and collaboration.

[METADATA] Horizons

Research

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Our solution involves conducting a comprehensive study of the current governance processes within Cardano. The research will focus on identifying inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and gaps that limit the effectiveness of decentralized governance as user participation increases. We will propose new governance frameworks and voting systems designed to enhance scalability, transparency, and inclusivity. This may include revised voting mechanisms, decision-making structures, or dRep (delegated representative) systems. A key feature of this research is simulating these models and validating their efficacy through community engagement and feedback.

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

The project will create a more scalable, transparent, and inclusive governance system for Cardano, enabling effective decision-making as the platform continues to grow. By addressing voter disengagement and inefficiencies, the project will empower ADA holders and dReps to participate more meaningfully, fostering a more robust and decentralized governance framework. The long-term effect will be increased community trust and a more democratic, decentralized Cardano ecosystem.

[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 has prior experience in governance research, blockchain technology, and decentralized system design. To validate the feasibility of our approach, we will:

1)     Conduct Qualitative and Quantitative Research:

We will use interviews with dReps, governance experts, and surveys from the community to gather insights. This will help us understand the current governance challenges and gauge the readiness of the community for proposed changes.

2)     Simulate Governance Models:

We intend to utilize real-world data to simulate the new governance models to allow us assess their effectiveness in addressing existing inefficiencies.

3)     Community Feedback Loop:

We will establish a structured feedback mechanism where community members can provide input on the proposed models. This community engagement will be crucial for iterating and refining our approach.

4)     Risk Mitigation:

We will identify the potential risks, such as delays in data collection or community participation, and develop contingency plans. We will secure partnerships with relevant organizations early in the project to minimize risks associated with data dependencies.

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

Initial Research & Data Gathering (Month 1-2):

a)      Analyze existing governance frameworks within Cardano.

b)     Identify inefficiencies and bottlenecks affecting decision-making.

c)      Gather qualitative and quantitative data from Cardano stakeholders through interviews and surveys.

Model Development (Month 3-4):

a)      Propose new governance models and voting systems that enhance scalability and inclusivity.

b)     Develop simulation models based on the research findings.

Simulation & Community Testing (Month 4-5):

a)      Conduct simulations of the proposed governance models.

b)     Engage the Cardano community in testing these models and gathering feedback.

c)      Offer incentives, such as ADA rewards, to encourage participation in the simulation and testing phases.

d)     Implement a feedback loop to assess the effectiveness of the proposed models based on community input.

Refinement & Final Report (Month 5-6):

a)      Refine the governance models based on feedback and insights gathered during testing.

b)     Publish a comprehensive report detailing the findings, recommendations, and the proposed governance structures.

c)      Present the results to the community and relevant stakeholders to ensure adoption of the new governance models.

Regular Updates

a)      Commit to providing monthly updates on progress, including insights from each milestone.

b)     Share research insights, simulation results, and community engagement metrics to maintain transparency and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

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

• Jennifer Duodu - Project Lead:

An experienced accounting and finance professional. A Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst, Business Intelligence & Data Analyst. She is an active member of Cardano Ecosystem, passionate about Research and has been a Community Reviewer for Fund8, Fund9, Fund10, Fund 11 and Fund 12. Participated in several workshops as a volunteer hosted by the Ghana Cardano community over the past two years.

Roles: Lead Researcher and Team Lead

 

• Abigail Ayisi

She is a proficient technical writer with a BA in Linguistics, and her skills go beyond strategizing content and writing. As a former team lead of a tech and waste management startup, she understands the entire content creation process, from ideation, design, documentation to product launch. 

Roles: Research Assistant and Report Writer

 

• Lawson Nii Odartey Lanquaye

Lawson is an experienced researcher and data analyst with extensive expertise in designing, implementing, testing, and maintaining data-driven systems. As a proficient analyst, he is skilled in various programming languages and data analysis tools, platforms, and methodologies. Lawson excels at independently overseeing research projects while also contributing effectively as a collaborative team member.

Role: Data Analyst

• Christopher Aikins

A highly experienced accountant and finance professional with over 12 years of experience in the field. holds a Master's degree in Computer Application from Amity University (India), an MSc degree in Accounting and Finance from KNUST (Ghana), and a BSc in Business Administration from KNUST (Ghana). He is passionate about blockchain technology and has been a community advisor and voter in the Project Catalyst funding cycle since Fund 5, and was also a member of the Catalyst Challenge Team for the "Scale-UP Cardano's Community Hubs" challenge in Fund 8. Christopher is a strong leader with a proven track record of success and also a highly ethical individual who is committed to implementing change in a positive way.

Role: Technical and Community Engagement Lead

• Edwin Pokoo-Aikins

Edwin Pokoo-Aikins is a dynamic software engineer and project manager with over five years of expertise in backend development, cloud computing, and blockchain technology. With a proven track record of delivering high-impact projects across diverse industries, Edwin stands out for his ability to seamlessly merge technical excellence with strategic vision. He has successfully led large-scale integrations, managed critical network infrastructure deployments, and spearheaded AI-driven initiatives for global organizations.

Edwin is not just a technical expert—he's a forward-thinking leader, passionate about harnessing blockchain to solve real-world challenges. His commitment to leveraging technology for social impact is demonstrated by his innovative approach to decentralizing governance in sectors like education, creating systems that foster transparency, inclusivity, and accountability.

Specialties: Blockchain Development (Cardano), Cloud Computing, Backend Development, AI Integration, Project Management & Professional Services, Strategic Leadership in Tech Innovations.

Role: Developer

Kingsley Agbo

An adept data and business analyst with extensive expertise in analyzing, interpreting, and leveraging data to drive business decisions and mitigate risks. As a proficient risk management consultant, Kingsley is experienced in various data analysis tools, business intelligence platforms, and risk assessment methodologies. He delivers technical and actionable insights. He works well in teams and focuses on improving performance and managing risks effectively.

Role: Technical Team Member

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

1. Research and data collection: 10,000 ADA

a. Personnel Costs (6,000 ADA)

                                i.           Lead Researcher -          2,500 ADA

                              ii.           Research Assistant -       2,000 ADA

                            iii.           Data Analyst -                 1,500 ADA

b. Tools and Resources (2,000 ADA)

                                i.           Data Collection Tools    -            1,000 ADA

Expenses for survey platforms, community feedback tools, and stakeholder interview platforms.

                              ii.           Database Management -               500 ADA

Costs related to organizing and maintaining research data in a structured format.

                            iii.           Miscellaneous Research Materials - 500 ADA

Purchases of reports, studies, or external data that aid in governance optimization research.

c. External Consultation (2,000 ADA)

Fees for bringing in governance experts, blockchain advisors, or external contributors who provide valuable perspectives on decentralized governance practices.

2.Development of governance models and simulations: 15,000 ADA

a. Personnel Costs (8,000 ADA)

                                i.           Governance Model Developer - 4,000 ADA

Designs and proposes new governance models and voting systems for Cardano.

                              ii.           Simulation Engineer -                  4,000 ADA

Develops and executes simulations to test governance models using Cardano's real-world data.

b. Software and Simulation Tools (5,000 ADA)

i. Simulation Software -                              3,000 ADA

Costs for acquiring or developing software tools needed for governance model simulations and testing.

ii. Computing Resources -                          2,000 ADA

Covers expenses for computing infrastructure, servers, or cloud services needed to run the simulations.

c. Documentation and Model Design (2,000 ADA)

i. Model Design Documentation -            1,000 ADA

Costs for detailed documentation of governance models and voting systems.

ii.Visualizations and Diagrams -                1,000 ADA

Creating visual aids such as diagrams to illustrate governance models for the final report and presentations.

 

3.Community engagement and testing: 7,500 ADA

a. Personnel Costs (3,500 ADA)

• Community Engagement Lead -               2,500 ADA
• Leads community outreach efforts, organizes feedback sessions, and ensures active community participation.
• Communications Specialist -                     1,000 ADA
• Manages communication with stakeholders, and coordinates updates and feedback collection through social channels.

b. Outreach and Communication (3,000 ADA)

• Community Surveys & Workshops -        2,000 ADA
• Costs associated with conducting surveys, online discussions, and workshops to collect feedback on proposed governance models.
• Social Media and Online Engagement -  1,000 ADA
• Expenses related to promoting the project, increasing community participation, and running engagement campaigns.

c. Testing and Feedback Tools (1,000 ADA)

Tools or platforms used to collect structured feedback from the community during governance model testing.

4.Reporting and final recommendations: 4,000 ADA

a. Personnel Costs (2,000 ADA)

• Report Writer -                                            1,200 ADA
• Responsible for writing the comprehensive final report summarizing research findings and governance recommendations.
• Editor -                                                            800 ADA
• Edits and refines the final report to ensure clarity and professionalism before publication.

b. Publication and Distribution (1,000 ADA)

• Design and Layout -                                      500 ADA
• Costs associated with designing a professional report, including visuals such as charts and diagrams.
• Digital Distribution -                                     500 ADA
• Hosting and distribution costs to ensure the report is widely accessible to the Cardano community.

c. Final Presentations and Workshops (1,000 ADA)

•    Workshops/Webinars: Hosting online sessions to present findings, explain governance models, and gather final feedback from stakeholders.

5.Miscellaneous costs (communication, hosting, etc.): 3,000 ADA

a. Communication and Hosting (1,000 ADA)

• Hosting and Communication Platforms: Fees for tools and services used to host meetings, workshops, and maintain communication with stakeholders.

b. Administrative and Operational Costs (2,000 ADA)

• Project Management Tools: Software for managing project timelines, tasks, and progress tracking.
• Contingency fund: Any unforeseen costs related to project operations.

Total Estimated Cost: 39,500 ADA

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

This research will provide immense value by optimizing Cardano’s governance model for long-term sustainability and scalability. A well-functioning, decentralized governance structure is critical for Cardano’s growth and community participation. By investing in this research, the Cardano ecosystem ensures that its governance framework remains robust, inclusive, and adaptable to increasing user participation, making it a worthy investment for the ecosystem’s future.