In accordance to the design requirements the platform would be a semi-automated online system which can be accessed by individuals via internet on any computer or smartphone [Req 2]. The platform would be operated digitally, since it would be logistically impossible to serve South Africa’s BOP in any other way. The platform would create its own online community though which all three customer segments can collaborate to help solve their own personal goals [Req 1]. The platform would be based on algorithms, interfaces, dashboards and social technology. All of which are attributes which defines an exponential organisation (Ismail et al. 2014). This allows users to access this platform from any place in the world, leaving them scope to decide how, when and where they would like to use the platform.
6.6 Platform Components
The platform is designed to serve as an ecosystem through which users can collaborate effectively and organically in accordance to their on preferences. The platform therefore only functions as a shell which structures the way in which users can interact effortlessly and harmlessly with other users, but further leaving full discretion to the users to decide how they would like to do so themselves [Req 16 & 17]. The platform therefore only consists out of the four components illustrated in Figure 20 below.
Figure 20 - Platform components (Timu Technologies 2015) 6.6.1 Smart Profiling
All parties who want to participate in the collaboration platform have to register to on the platform before they will be allowed access [Req 10]. For individuals this process would be automated and online, whereas organisations and accreditors will be able to register online or manually with the platform facilitators, depending on the nature of the partnership. Registration includes capturing all relevant information from the specific party which would
Progress Tracking Interaction Facilitation Information Sharing Smart Profiling
be needed to successfully facilitate and track interactions between users [Req 12]. This information would obviously be protected in accordance to national legislation (Act 4 2013; Act 25 2002).
A user profile will be created, providing an interface through which all required user information would be communicated [Req 11]. Depending on the nature of the user, their profile will include information about their proven and developed skills, education, experience, exposure, ratings, feedback, interactions, contributions, reimbursement, participation and status as illustrated in Figure 21 below. The platform facilitators will also open a free third party mobile bank account for each user who does not already have an active bank account at a licenced and registered credit and authorised financial services provider (FSP5865; NCRCP6). These bank accounts would then be used to safely transfer financial reimbursements to users who did not have a bank account before [Req 22].
Figure 21 - Smart profiling elements (Timu Technologies 2015) 6.6.2 Information Sharing
After registration the platform gives users access to a free-for-all marketspace in which they can freely share all opportunities and requests [Req 5, 6 & 7]. A matching algorithm would match users to the opportunities and request which would best suits their needs, interest and preferences [Req 26]. All information in regards to the opportunities and request and how to participate in them would be made available through the platform [Req 27]. All matching criteria and prerequisites would be handled in the platform backend, making the connection process as simple as possible for the users. The platform would also allow a user to see
opportunities which they might unlock when they reach a higher educational level, together with information on how they can do so [Req 21 & 29].
6.6.3 Interaction Facilitation
When a user identifies an opportunity on the platform in which they want to participate, the platform would allow the user to apply via the platform. The user on the other end will then be allowed to use their own discretion to decide whether or not they would like to work with the applicant based on their level of expertise and their prior interactions [Req 23]. If accepted the two parties would be allowed to effectively communicate and make further arrangements for the awaiting job [Req 17]. After job completion the platform requires both parties to provide feedback on the other user and rate the experience [Req 24]. Additionally an in-house rating system would also capture data on the interaction to validate whether the interaction took place as planned and to ensure that both parties keep up their end of the deal [Req 12]. All skill endorsements, contribution scoring, information capturing and financial reimbursements are facilitated through the platform and should make the interactions as pleasant as possible for both parties [Req 18].
6.6.4 Progress Tracking
The sustainability of this platform depends largely on the platform’s ability to realise meaningful interactions between parties and to track the corresponding user progression. The behaviour of users during these interactions will play a determining role in the future opportunities and rewards which would be accessible to a specific user. The platform is designed to reward active participation and positive behaviour [Req 20]. The more an individual puts in, the more they will be able to get back [Req 9]. Simultaneously, users who misbehaves can also be penalised.
6.7 Gamification
The entire platform is gamified, with typical game playing elements built into the system (Stevenson 2010) to encourage user engagement. There are different levels that can be reached on the platform [Req 10]. Reaching the more advanced levels will require greater effort and mastery from the users [Req 21]. Users will also be awarded points for their contribution within their communities [Req 20]. The more competent a user proves himself to be and the higher their contribution, the more opportunities with greater rewards becomes accessible to the user.
6.8 Measuring Competencies
The way in which the platform measures user’s competencies are very important [Req 10]. Authors such as Adler (2013) suggest that there are only four different types of work according to which all jobs can be classified. In accordance to these four work types, the author proposed a new way through which a user’s competencies can be measured. Each and
every competency is linked to an achievable status which holds different levels of mastery as demonstrated in Figure 22 below.
Figure 22 - User competency measuring (Timu Technologies 2015)
This information would be used to accurately match individuals to tasks which requires a specific level of expertise. The goal is to move away from the conventional way of defining an individual’s competencies according to their educational level, but rather according to their true abilities and interest [Req 23], which would provide a much more efficient way to match users with each other and increases the likelihood for successful collaboration [Req 26].
6.9 Measuring Contribution
The key participation driver for the platform lies in a unique way which was developed to measure an individual’s contribution towards their community [Req 20]. For each task a user completes on the platform, the impact of their efforts is calculated through a dynamic algorithm which is based on information of a specific community’s economics. This algorithm calculates a user’s contribution score in different fields which is presumed important to the community’s welfare at a specific point in time. Please refer to Figure 23 below for a visualisation of a potential contribution score card.
The platform uses this information to calibrate the user’s contribution to those of others’ to show them the value of their efforts. This platform also uses this scoring system to motivate further participation between users by linking the rewards which an individual obtains through participation, to their ability to positively impact their community, with positive contributions leading to more opportunities [Req 21].
Figure 23 – Potential platform contribution score (Timu Technologies 2015)
6.10 Personalised Experience
The platform is developed to allow each member to tailor their own partnerships, opportunities and education according to their own needs, without any compromises [Req 3, 4, 5 & 6]. Please refer to Figure 24 below. The platform was not developed to replace existing educational institutes, but to operate parallel with their initiatives [Req 23 & 30]. The entire idea behind the platform is that individuals will take full responsibility for their own education and the platform will only show them how they can do this by collaborating with others. The platform encourages them to do so with their peers and through schools, colleges and universities. Fully capitalising on the benefits of working in a collaborative environment, without any of the logistical difficulties.