Abstract:
StableLab proposes a research initiative to establish benchmarks for critical processes and operational scenarios within SafeDAO. The focus areas include information dissemination, marketing and community engagement, service provider selection, conflict resolution, and resource allocation. This initiative aims to identify industry best practices and provide SafeDAO with data-driven insights to improve operational efficiency and governance effectiveness.
Aligned Strategy:
Wildcard Strategy
Funding Request:
9,999 USDC.
The funding will cover research activities and related expenses over 1.5 months.
If applicable, Upfront Funding:
Applicable
Relation to Budget:
The funding request represents 10% of the total initiative budget (Wildcard Strategy now has a total budget of $100k after the latest Budget Amendment).
Metrics and KPIs:
The proposed initiative will impact the following KPIs:
- Quality of Information Dissemination: Evaluation of the effectiveness of communication strategies within the DAO, leading to improved member awareness, participation and retention.
- Community Engagement Metrics: Increase in community engagement metrics, such as number/percentage of active delegates, participation in forums, events, and other decision-making processes.
- Efficiency in Service Provider Selection: Development of a streamlined process for selecting service providers that leads to cost savings and improved service quality.
- Resource Allocation Effectiveness: Assessment of resource allocation strategies, leading to more efficient use of DAO resources.
Initiative Description:
Like many DAOs, SafeDAO faces challenges in achieving effective governance and operational efficiency. Issues such as information asymmetry, limited community engagement, and suboptimal service provider selection frameworks can hinder the DAO’s ability to meet its objectives. Our proposal focuses on conducting research to develop standards and benchmarks for SafeDAO’s key operational areas to improve governance processes and overall effectiveness.
The research initiative will encompass:
- Communication Practices: Analyzing current communication practices and developing guidelines to ensure timely and effective information flow within the DAO for governance participants at varying degrees.
- Marketing and Community Engagement: Identifying successful engagement strategies from other DAOs that could be applied to SafeDAO to foster a more active and involved community.
- Service Provider Selection: Analyzing frameworks for evaluating and selecting service providers to ensure that SafeDAO partners with high-quality and cost-effective firms/vendors.
- Code of Conduct: Exploring best practices for developing a comprehensive code of conduct within DAOs, covering essential areas such as dispute resolution mechanisms, self-voting policies, and other relevant guidelines that promote ethical behaviour, transparency, and cooperation among members
- Resource Allocation: Analyzing current resource allocation practices and providing recommendations to optimize the use of SafeDAO’s assets.
Current Status:
StableLab has played an active role in SafeDAO’s governance and community engagement, making us well-equipped to lead this initiative. With our deep understanding of the DAO ecosystem and a solid data and research team, we’re focused on delivering practical, actionable insights. Our established network and experience in DAO governance give us the tools to ensure this research initiative is both successful and relevant to SafeDAO’s needs.
Risks:
The research may rely on data and practices from other DAOs that are not entirely applicable or reliable for SafeDAO’s unique context, thus leading to flawed benchmarks. We will ensure data accuracy by cross-referencing multiple sources, consulting with high-context members of the DAOs we research, and validating findings through stakeholder feedback to tailor recommendations specifically to SafeDAO’s needs.
Timeline and Milestones:
| Sprint/Deliverable | Hours Allocated | Cost (USDC) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | 20 | $2,499.75 | Initial research and data collection on existing standards and practices in DAOs. |
| Week 3-4 | 20 | $2,499.75 | Analysis of research findings and development of draft standards and benchmarks for SafeDAO. |
| Week 5-6 | 20 | $2,499.75 | Stakeholder engagement and feedback collection to refine standards. |
| Week 7 | 20 | $2,499.75 | Finalization of standards and preparation of a comprehensive report with recommendations. |
| Total | 80 hours | $9,999 | Comprehensive research, stakeholder engagement, and final reporting. |
List of Deliverables
- Comprehensive Research Report on DAO Standards: A detailed document outlining best practices and standards for DAO operations.
- Forum Post: A concise summary of our findings and recommendations shared on the SafeDAO governance forum to engage and inform community members.
- Blog Post: An article published on our website providing an overview of the research and its implications for SafeDAO, along with a link to the full report.
- Downloadable PDF: A PDF version of the research report available for download and distribution.
Initiative Lead:
Nneoma Kanu (StableLab) - An experienced SafeDAO Delegate with a background in decentralized governance, technical project management, and community stewardship.
StableLab’s research and data team will provide auxiliary support on the execution of this initiative.
Team:
The initiative will be led by Nneoma Kanu, supported by a team of experts in DAO governance and community engagement, including researchers and analysts with relevant experience in decentralized organizations.
Additional Support/Resources:
Regular syncs with the SafeDAO Governance Workstream for strategic alignment purposes