Please describe your proposed solution.

Our proposed solution is to enhance the functionality of the Clarity polling platform by making it easy for Stake Pool Operators to grant Voting Power to their delegators based either amount delegated or time delegated. This will enable SPOs to easily create custom incentives for their delegators and encourage more community involvement, fostering a stronger and more sustainable Cardano ecosystem.

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

Our proposed solution directly addresses the challenges faced by Stake Pool Operators (SPOs) in meaningfully engaging and incentivizing their delegators, while also fostering a sense of community within the Cardano ecosystem. By extending the functionality of the Clarity polling platform to include Stake Pools, we provide SPOs with a tool to recognize and reward their most loyal delegators.

The benefits of our solution are multifold.

• It facilitates effective communication, coordination, and collaboration between SPO projects and initiatives. The extended functionality empowers SPOs to engage and connect with their delegators, facilitating a sense of community and conversations within the Cardano ecosystem.
• The solution encourages delegators to actively participate and stake their funds, leading to increased decentralization and network security on the Cardano blockchain.
• The solution gives Stake Pool Operators tools to prepare for the Voltaire era, where it seems they will play an important role in the governance of Cardano. Allowing SPOs to poll their delegators on important issues will allow them to make more informed and representative decisions.

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

We intend to measure the success of our project through the following key performance indicators (KPIs):

1. Number of SPOs using the feature for community engagement and tracking: This metric will help us gauge the adoption and utilization of the extended functionality by Stake Pool Operators. By tracking the number of SPOs actively using the feature, we can assess the value and relevance it brings to their operations.
2. Engagement metrics of SPO communities: We will monitor and analyze various engagement metrics within SPO communities, such as active participation, discussions, and interactions among delegators. These metrics will provide insights into the effectiveness of the incentivization mechanism in fostering a sense of community and encouraging ongoing engagement among delegators.

By regularly tracking and analyzing these KPIs, we will be able to evaluate the success of our project in driving community engagement, adoption of the feature by SPOs, and the overall growth and participation within the Cardano ecosystem.

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

To share the outputs and results of our project, we have planned the following strategies:

1. Workshops and Demos: We will conduct workshops and live demos to showcase the extended functionality of the Crystal polling platform and its impact on community engagement and tracking. These sessions will provide an opportunity for SPOs, delegators, and other stakeholders to learn about the features, understand their benefits, and interactively explore how to leverage them effectively.
2. Documentation and Guides: We will create comprehensive documentation and user guides detailing the implementation process, features, and functionalities of the extended Crystal platform. These resources will be made available online, allowing SPOs and interested individuals to access and refer to them for a deeper understanding of the project and its outcomes.
3. Online Webinars and Presentations: We will organize online webinars and presentations to reach a wider audience. These virtual events will enable us to share insights, discuss the results, and address any questions or concerns from the community. This interactive format will encourage participation, knowledge-sharing, and engagement with the project.
4. Social Media and Online Platforms: We will utilize social media channels, relevant online forums, and platforms to disseminate information about our project's outputs and results. By leveraging these platforms, we can reach a broader audience, engage in discussions, and receive feedback from the Cardano community.
5. Collaborations and Partnerships: We will actively seek collaborations and partnerships with organizations and initiatives within the Cardano ecosystem. By sharing our project outputs and results with these entities, we can expand the reach and impact of our work while fostering a collaborative environment for further innovation and development.

Through these channels and approaches, we aim to effectively communicate the outputs, results, and benefits of our project to the Cardano community, SPOs, delegators, and other relevant stakeholders.

What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability?

Our team has a proven track record of delivering on proposals within the Cardano ecosystem, as demonstrated by our past participation and successful outcomes in Cardano Project Catalyst. We understand the significance of trust and accountability in executing projects, especially when it involves sensitive aspects such as DAO treasuries and staking.

In particular, our team has built a lightweight snapshot voting application for Cardano projects that uses a custom chain indexer to calculate membership status and voting within communities. We want to extend the functionality of the information this platform can derive from the chain to add support for SPO communities.

Here's how our team ensures high levels of trust and accountability in project delivery:

Experience and Expertise:

• Our team members possess extensive experience and expertise in their respective domains, including decentralized governance, smart contract development, UI/UX design, and Cardano ecosystem integration.
• We have a deep understanding of the underlying technology and best practices, enabling us to make informed decisions and deliver reliable solutions.

Transparent Communication:

• We prioritize transparent and open communication with all stakeholders, including the Cardano community, DAO organizations, and project funders.
• We provide regular updates, progress reports, and hold interactive sessions to address questions, gather feedback, and ensure alignment with project goals.

Commitment to Documentation:

• We recognize the importance of thorough documentation to maintain transparency and accountability.
• Our team produces comprehensive documentation, including technical specifications, user guides, and project reports, which are made available to stakeholders to review and verify the project's progress.

Community Engagement:

• We actively engage with the Cardano community to foster trust and accountability.
• Through community meetups, forums, and social media channels, we encourage open dialogue, gather feedback, and incorporate community perspectives into our decision-making processes.

Adherence to Best Practices and Standards:

• We follow industry best practices, adhere to established standards, and conduct thorough testing and security audits to ensure the reliability and robustness of our solutions.
• We prioritize the security of DAO treasuries and stake pool operations, implementing safeguards and risk mitigation strategies to protect funds and maintain trust.

Past Success and References:

• Our successful track record in delivering on previous proposals in Cardano Project Catalyst serves as a testament to our ability to fulfill our commitments and achieve desired outcomes.
• We can provide references and testimonials from previous collaborators, stakeholders, and community members to vouch for our trustworthiness and accountability.

By combining our experience, transparent communication, documentation practices, community engagement, adherence to standards, and past successes, we are confident in our capability to deliver the proposed project with high levels of trust and accountability.

What are the main goals for the project and how will you validate if your approach is feasible?

The main goals of our project are:

1. Provide an easy way for Stake Pool Operators (SPOs) to engage with and incentivize their delegators.
2. Foster a sense of community and participation within the Cardano ecosystem.
3. Enhance the overall stake pool ecosystem by encouraging long-term staking commitments.

To validate the feasibility of our approach, we will undertake the following steps:

1. Technical Assessment: We will conduct a comprehensive technical assessment to ensure that the necessary infrastructure and resources are available to implement the proposed extension to the Crystal polling platform. This assessment will help us confirm the technical feasibility of incorporating the functionality to track the duration of staking to a specific pool.
2. Prototyping and Testing: We will develop a prototype of the extended Crystal platform with the added functionality and conduct thorough testing. This will allow us to validate the technical feasibility and functionality of the solution, ensuring that it operates as intended and meets the requirements of SPOs and delegators.
3. User Feedback and Iteration: We will actively seek feedback from SPOs and delegators who use the extended Crystal platform during a pilot phase or trial period. Their input will provide valuable insights into the usability, effectiveness, and feasibility of our approach. Based on their feedback, we will make any necessary iterations and refinements to improve the solution's feasibility and align it with the needs and expectations of the Cardano community.

By undertaking these steps, we will validate the feasibility of our approach and ensure that the extended functionality of the Crystal polling platform effectively addresses the goals of providing an easy way for SPOs to engage and incentivize their delegators within the Cardano ecosystem.

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.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the project's milestones and the main tasks or activities associated with each milestone, along with the expected timeline for delivery:

Milestone: Technical Spec for Implementation

• Task 1: Define the requirements for the extended functionality to track staking duration.
• Task 2: Develop a technical specification document outlining the implementation details and integration process.
• Task 3: Review and refine the technical specification based on feedback from stakeholders.

Milestone: Extend chain indexer functionality and integrate front-end features

• Task 1: Extend current chain indexer to track delegation status and duration to specific pools
• Task 2: Add option to polling platform sign up to add influence for community members staked to the pool

Milestone: Pilot SPO Communities

• Task 1: Implement the extended functionality on a testnet environment.
• Task 2: Select a few SPO communities to participate in the pilot phase.
• Task 3: Collaborate with the selected SPO communities to integrate the extended functionality into their operations.
• Task 4: Monitor and gather feedback from SPOs and delegators during the pilot phase.
• Task 5: Iterate and refine the extended functionality based on the feedback received.

Milestone: Documentation

• Task 1: Prepare comprehensive documentation and user guides explaining the extended functionality.
• Task 2: Create tutorials and step-by-step instructions for SPOs to implement the extended functionality.
• Task 3: Develop documentation on best practices for engaging and incentivizing delegators using the extended functionality.
• Task 4: Review and revise the documentation based on feedback and clarity of instructions.

Please describe the deliverables, outputs and intended outcomes of each milestone.

Milestone: Technical Spec for Implementation

Deliverables:

• Detailed requirements document outlining the necessary modifications and additions for tracking staking duration.
• Technical specification document describing the implementation details, integration process, and any additional dependencies or considerations.

Outputs:

• Clear understanding of the technical requirements and scope for extending the functionality of the Crystal platform.
• Technical specifications that serve as a blueprint for the development and integration of the proposed features.

Intended Outcome:

• A well-defined technical roadmap that guides the development and implementation of the extended functionality.
• Alignment between the project team and stakeholders regarding the technical approach and expected outcomes.

Milestone: Extend chain indexer functionality and integrate front-end features

Deliverables

• Integration of the extended functionality into the testnet environment.
• Easy to use front-end interface to create the SPO community portal

Outputs

• User flow where a SPO community can be created, incentivized, and organized quickly and easily.

Intended Outcome

• MVP of the SPO centric polling platform ready for testing.

Milestone: Pilot SPO Communities

Deliverables: Milestone: Extend chain indexer functionality and integrate front-end features

• Process for identifying and engaging pilot SPO communities.
• Documentation outlining the procedures for SPOs to participate in the pilot phase.
• Feedback collection mechanism to gather insights from SPOs and delegators during the pilot phase.

Outputs:

• Functional extended functionality integrated into the testnet for pilot testing.
• Engagement and participation of selected SPO communities in the pilot phase.
• Feedback and insights from SPOs and delegators regarding the usability, effectiveness, and impact of the extended functionality.

Intended Outcome:

• Real-world validation of the extended functionality and its impact on SPOs and delegators.
• Identification of any issues, challenges, or areas for improvement that may arise during the pilot phase.
• Iteration and refinement of the extended functionality based on feedback, ensuring its readiness for wider adoption.

Milestone: Documentation

Deliverables:

• Comprehensive documentation and user guides explaining the extended functionality.
• Tutorials and step-by-step instructions for SPOs to implement and utilize the extended functionality.
• Documentation on best practices for engaging and incentivizing delegators using the extended functionality.

Outputs:

• Clear and user-friendly documentation that facilitates the understanding and adoption of the extended functionality.
• Practical guidelines and instructions for SPOs to leverage the extended functionality to engage and incentivize their delegators effectively.

Intended Outcome:

• Empowerment of SPOs with the necessary resources and guidance to implement and utilize the extended functionality.
• Increased awareness and adoption of the extended functionality within the Cardano community.
• Improved communication, coordination, and collaboration among SPOs, leading to a stronger stake pool ecosystem and a more engaged Cardano community.

Please provide a detailed budget breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

The estimated time to complete this project is 150 hours.

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Development and project management cost is $60 per hour.

Total cost estimated to be: $9,000

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Assuming ADA is $0.3, 30,000 ADA is needed to complete the project

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Breakdown of each task into hours is below:

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Milestone: Technical Spec for Implementation

• Task 1: Define the requirements for the extended functionality to track staking duration. (10 hours)
• Task 2: Develop a technical specification document outlining the implementation details and integration process. (10 hours)
• Task 3: Review and refine the technical specification based on feedback from stakeholders. (10 hours)

Milestone: Extend chain indexer functionality and integrate front-end features

• Task 1: Extend current chain indexer to track delegation status and duration to specific pools (25 hours)
• Task 2: Add option to polling platform sign up to add influence for community members staked to the pool (10 hours)

Milestone: Pilot SPO Communities

• Task 1: Implement the extended functionality on a testnet environment. (15 hours)
• Task 2: Select a few SPO communities to participate in the pilot phase. (10 hours)
• Task 3: Collaborate with the selected SPO communities to integrate the extended functionality into their operations.(15 hours)
• Task 4: Monitor and gather feedback from SPOs and delegators during the pilot phase. (5 hours)
• Task 5: Iterate and refine the extended functionality based on the feedback received. (10 hours)

Milestone: Documentation

• Task 1: Prepare comprehensive documentation and user guides explaining the extended functionality. (15 hours)
• Task 2: Create tutorials and step-by-step instructions for SPOs to implement the extended functionality. (5 hours)
• Task 3: Develop documentation on best practices for engaging and incentivizing delegators using the extended functionality. (5 hours)
• Task 4: Review and revise the documentation based on feedback and clarity of instructions. (5 hours)

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Total Estimated Hours: 150

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

The Clarity Protocol represents a collaboration between two esteemed entities, Clear Contracts and MLabs. Our team comprises talented individuals who possess a diverse range of expertise and a shared commitment to delivering on this proposal. Allow us to introduce the key members and outline their qualifications:

1. Logan Panchot: As a co-founder of Clear Contracts, Logan spearheads business development efforts. His deep-rooted belief in the significance of decentralized governance and finance fuels his dedication to creating transparent and resilient organizations operating on decentralized systems. Logan recently completed his studies at Stanford University, majoring in Science, Technology, and Society with a concentration in innovation and organization.
2. Justin Schreiner: Serving as a co-founder of Clear Contracts, Justin brings his extensive experience in UI/UX development to the team. With a full-stack development background, he possesses a solid track record of successfully delivering Cardano dApps over the past two years.
3. Matt Laux: Joining Clear Contracts as an Engineer, Matt assumes responsibility for smart contract and front-end integrations. His proficiency as a full-stack developer has been instrumental in various projects, including the creation of a lightweight snapshot voting app for Cardano Projects and the Clarity Protocol. Matt has been an invaluable addition to the team, contributing his expertise for the past eight months.
4. Tomasz Maciosowski: Leading the Plutus development efforts for the Clarity team, Tomasz boasts over a year of experience as the Plutus lead on the project. With a robust background in building on Cardano and two years of experience in the field, Tomasz plays a crucial role in ensuring the success and innovation of the Clarity Protocol.

Together, this skilled and dedicated team combines their expertise in business development, UI/UX development, smart contract integration, and Plutus development to drive the implementation and delivery of the proposed features. With their collective experience and passion for decentralized systems, the team is poised to bring the Clarity Protocol to fruition and advance the future of decentralized governance and finance.

How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

The cost of the project represents excellent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem due to the following reasons:

1. Enhanced Functionality: By enhancing the Clarity polling platform to enable Stake Pool Operators (SPOs) to grant Voting Power based on the amount or duration of delegation, our solution provides SPOs with powerful tools to incentivize their delegators. This custom incentive system fosters a stronger sense of community, encouraging active involvement and engagement within the Cardano ecosystem.
2. Preparation for Governance: As Cardano moves towards the Voltaire era, where stakeholder participation in governance will be crucial, our solution empowers SPOs to make more informed and representative decisions. By enabling SPOs to poll their delegators on important matters, the solution equips them with the necessary tools to prepare for their role in the future governance of Cardano. This fosters transparency and accountability, ensuring that decisions align with the collective will of the community.

The cost of the project is a worthwhile investment as it enhances communication and collaboration, promotes decentralization and security, and prepares stakeholders for the future governance of the Cardano ecosystem. This comprehensive solution not only adds value to the Cardano ecosystem but also contributes to its long-term sustainability.