Woldia University School Of
Computing
Institute of Technology
Proposal Document
Freelance Platform for Local Market
Industrial Project in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Supervised By:
By :
1. Habtemichael Yaregal
2. Mahlet Siyoum
3. Solomon Molla
4. Hailu Niguse
Date: Mar 03 ,2024
Woldia , Ethiopia
APPROVALSHEET
Approved by Advisor
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Full Name Signature Date
Approved by Board of Examiners
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary....................................................................................................................................
I
1. Project Overview .................................................................................................................................. 1
2. Problem Definition ............................................................................................................................... 1
3. Solution Description ............................................................................................................................. 3
3.1 Project Objectives ...................................................................................................................... 3
3.2 Scope of the Solution ................................................................................................................. 3
3.3 Key Activities .............................................................................................................................. 4
3.4 Target Audience ......................................................................................................................... 4
3.5 Geographic Locations and Settings ............................................................................................ 4
3.6 Why This Solution is Specific: ..................................................................................................... 4
3.7 Significance of the Project .......................................................................................................... 5
4. Methodology ........................................................................................................................................ 5
4.1 System Analysis and design ........................................................................................................ 5
4.2 System Implementation ............................................................................................................. 6
5. Technology Consideration .................................................................................................................... 6
5.1. Application Front-end Technologies ......................................................................................... 7
5.2. Application Backend Technologies ............................................................................................ 7
6 . System Security Mechanisms .............................................................................................................. 7
7. Quality Assurance Mechanisms ........................................................................................................... 8
8. Project Deliverables ............................................................................................................................. 8
Refrence ................................................................................................................................................. 10
Executive Summary
The freelance industry in Ethiopia is rapidly evolving, highlighting the pressing need
for an organized platform that connects skilled freelancers with potential clients.
Currently, there is a lack of a centralized solution that efficiently manages freelance
services, which limits opportunities for freelancers and complicates the job search
process for clients. In response to this gap, we propose the development of an
electronic freelance marketplace designed to automate service delivery, facilitate user
registration, and streamline job searches. This platform will include features such as
skill verification, client reviews, and secure payment systems, ensuring a user-friendly
experience for both freelancers and clients.
The primary goal of this platform is to empower freelancers and enhance their
engagement with clients through a comprehensive and efficient system. We aim to
deliver a fully functional web application supported by Node.js and MySQL, along
with a mobile application for increased accessibility. The anticipated project timeline
is six months, encompassing planning, development, testing, and deployment phases.
This electronic marketplace aims to revolutionize the freelancing landscape in
Ethiopia by bridging the gap between local talent and clientele, ultimately fostering
economic growth and opportunity in Ethiopia. I
1. Project Overview
At the intersection of innovation and socioeconomic development, the proposed
platform aims to transform the way individuals engage with work in Ethiopia.
Historically, the local job market has been characterized by traditional employment
models that often overlook the potential of freelancing and remote work. In recent
years, there has been a paradigm shift in the workforce's preferences, with a growing
number of individuals seeking flexible, part-time, and remote job opportunities.
Despite this trend, existing platforms have not adequately addressed the unique needs
of Ethiopian freelancers or clients, limiting opportunities for talent discovery and
collaboration.
The platform is envisioned as a solution to bridge this gap, with a strong emphasis on
flexibility, community building, and localized transactions. By empowering
freelancers through skill development, promoting remote work opportunities, and
fostering a vibrant community, the platform aspires to celebrate local talent and its
contributions. It seeks to create an ecosystem where both freelancers and clients can
thrive, ultimately driving economic growth in Ethiopia. This project overview not
only highlights the historical context and evolution of the job market but also sets the
stage for a revolutionary approach to work that empowers individuals and redefines
the dynamics of employment in the Ethiopia.
2. Problem Definition
1. Limited opportunities for Freelancers: In Ethiopia, there aren't many platforms
specifically designed to help self-employed individuals market their services
and locate appropriate jobs. Freelancers' access to potential clients and projects
is limited by the lack of specific job listing websites. This makes it more difficult
for skilled people to find employment and support the economy.
2. Inefficient Job Search Process: Traditional job search methods in Ethiopia often
involve physically seeking employment, which can be time-consuming and
inefficient. Because of the fragmented nature of the job market and the absence
of centralized platforms for freelancers, many skilled individuals find it difficult
to connect with suitable job opportunities.
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3. Absence of Digitalization in Employment: In Ethiopia, efforts to digitise work
processes are still in their early phases. This has resulted in a deficiency of online
platforms that support freelance and remote work options. Because of this, a lot
of talented professionals are unable to work remotely and take advantage of their
talents, which results in an underutilization of talent and resources.
4. Restricted Client Access: The lack of platforms specifically designed for
freelancers in Ethiopia makes it difficult for independent contractors to find a
wide variety of clients and projects. This restricts their ability to grow their
clientele and find steady employment, which impedes their ability to advance
professionally and earn more money.
The proposed project aims to address these challenges by creating a dedicated
freelancing platform, tailored to the needs of Ethiopian freelancers and clients. This
platform will act as a central meeting place for entrepreneurs who work independently
to market their abilities, establish connections with clients, and find remote
employment opportunities. With a user-friendly interface, strong verification
procedures, and a wide variety of job listings, the platform aims to make the job
search process easier for independent contractors and to close the gap between
qualified candidates and possible employers. With this project, we hope to encourage
economic growth, digitise the labour market, and enable entrepreneurs to reach their
full potential in Ethiopia's changing labour market.
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3. Solution Description
3.1 Project Objectives
The main objective of this project is to deliver a specialized online freelancing
platform that addresses the challenges faced by both clients and freelancers in
Ethiopia. Specific objectives include:
1. Create a User-Friendly Platform: Develop an intuitive online platform that
enables seamless collaboration between freelancers and clients.
2. Portfolio Development: Provide freelancers with tools to build and showcase
their portfolios, enhancing their visibility and reputation in their respective fields.
3. Access to a Broader Talent Pool: Allow businesses to connect with freelancers
beyond their local area, increasing their chances of finding the best fit for their project
needs.
4. Networking Opportunities: Facilitate collaboration among freelancers,
enabling them to expand their professional networks.
5. Freelancer Support Resources: Offer resources, tools, and guidance to help
freelancers grow and succeed in their careers.
6. Trust and Credibility Systems: Implement a reliable rating and review system
to enhance trust within the freelancing community.
7. Intelligent Project Matching: Develop algorithms to recommend projects to
freelancers based on their skill sets and expertise, streamlining the hiring process.
3.2 Scope of the Solution
Development of the freelancing platform and its core features (user interface,
messaging system, payment system).
Implementation of verification processes for freelancers and clients.
Creation of a comprehensive job listing database across various freelance sectors.
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3.3 Key Activities
1. Conduct market research to understand user needs.
2.. Platform Development: Build the online platform with essential features focusing
on user experience and functionality.
3. Implement a verification system for trust and security.
4. Launch marketing campaigns to attract users.
5. Integrated Communication Tools: Incorporate a real-time messaging system to
enhance communication between freelancers and clients.
6. Secure Payment Systems: Create and integrate a safe, efficient payment system that
ensures smooth transactions and protects user financial information.
3.4 Target Audience
The target audiences for this project include:
- Freelancers : Individuals seeking flexible work opportunities in various sectors
such as design, writing, programming, and marketing.
- Businesses and Employers: Organizations looking for freelancers to undertake
shortterm or project-based work.
3.5 Geographic Locations and Settings
The proposed solution will focus on key urban locations in Ethiopia.
3.6 Why This Solution is Specific:
This solution is tailored to the Ethiopian context, recognizing the unique economic
landscape, cultural dynamics, and specific needs of both freelancers and businesses
within the country. Unlike generic platforms that cater to broader or more developed
markets, this platform focuses on local challenges, such as limited access to skilled
labor and the necessity for secure, trustworthy business transactions. By customizing
the platform's features and support resources to these specific geographic and
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organizational characteristics, the project aims to create a sustainable freelance
ecosystem that empowers local talent and drives economic growth in Ethiopia.
3.7 Significance of the Project
The successful implementation of this platform will facilitate various professional
opportunities for freelancers, allowing them to work on diverse projects and build
expertise across multiple industries. This exposure is invaluable compared to
traditional in-house roles, which often limit experience to a single sector. The
platform is designed to bring significant benefits to both freelancers and clients,
fostering an environment where talent can thrive and contribute effectively to the
local economy.
4. Methodology
4.1 Data collection methodology
For our project conducted at Bahir Dar Institute of Technology, Bahir Dar University,
data will be collected from students enrolled in various programs. The methodology
adopted aimed to gather insights from a diverse pool of respondents to ensure
comprehensive findings.
4.2 System Analysis and design
We use agile methodology because it is focused on iterative planning, making it very
easy to adapt when some requirements change, welcome changing requirements, even
late in development. Its development tends to deliver visibility, adaptability and value
in the beginning of the process and reduces a lot the risks during the project and during
the whole cycle, user involvement is encouraged, providing visibility & transparency,
showing the actual progress of projects.
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4.3 System Implementation
Object–Oriented Design (OOD) involves implementation of the conceptual model
produced during object-oriented analysis. During this phase, concepts in the analysis
model are mapped onto implementing classes, constraints are identified and interfaces
are designed. We decide to use object-oriented system analysis and design methodology
because of the following reason:
Simplicity: software objects model real world objects, so the complexity is
reduced and the program structure is very clear.
Reusability: the object oriented provides opportunities for reuse through the
concepts of inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation and modularity.
Increased Quality: Increases in quality are largely a by-product of this
program reuse.
Increased extensibility: when we need to add new feature to the system, we
only need to make changes in one part of the applicable class.
4.4 Testing and Deployment Methodology
For the testing and deployment phase of our project, we adopt a systematic and thorough
methodology to ensure the reliability, functionality, and successful implementation of
the developed solution. Our approach integrates various testing stages and a well-
defined deployment process to guarantee a smooth transition from development to live
production.
5. Technology Consideration
For our freelancing platform, we will use the following technology stack that
combines reliability, scalability, and ease of development. This stack covers both the
web and mobile versions of the application, ensuring a unified experience for users
across different devices.
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5.1. Application Front-end Technologies
HTML/CSS: Fundamental technologies for structuring and styling web pages.
JavaScript: Essential for client-side scripting and enhancing user interactivity.
Framework/Library:
React.js: A powerful JavaScript library for building user interfaces.
5.2. Application Backend Technologies
Node.js: A JavaScript runtime that allows for server-side development, enabling you
to use a single programming language (JavaScript) across both front-end and backend,
simplifying development.
Database : we will use MySQL Database.
5.3. Mobile Application Development
React Native: A framework for building native mobile applications using React. It
allows you to create cross-platform mobile apps with a single code base, which is
efficient and cost-effective.
Firebase: will be utilized for hosting, real-time database functionalities ,
authentication, and notifications. This can enhance user engagement through alerts for
new job postings, messages, etc.
6 . System Security Mechanisms
1. User Authentication and Authorization: Implement strong user authentication
methods, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), to ensure that only legitimate
users can access the platform. Use role-based access control (RBAC) to restrict
permissions based on user roles (e.g., freelancers, clients, administrators).
2. Data Privacy Compliance: Ensure compliance with local data protection
regulations (e.g., Ethiopia's data protection laws) and international standards (e.g.,
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GDPR). • Implement a clear privacy policy that informs users about how their data
will be collected, used, and shared.
3. User Education: Provide resources and training for users on best practices for
online security, such as recognizing phishing attempts and using strong passwords.
7. Quality Assurance Mechanisms
1. User Experience Testing: Conduct usability testing with real users to gather
feedback on the platform's interface and functionality. Continuously iterate on the
design based on user feedback to improve the overall user experience.
2. Performance Testing: Implement performance testing to ensure that the
platform can handle high traffic volumes without degradation in speed or
functionality Monitor server performance and optimize as necessary to provide a
smooth experience for users.
3. Automated Testing: Use automated testing tools to perform unit tests,
integration tests, and regression tests on the platform's codebase. Ensure that critical
functionalities are covered by automated test cases to catch issues early in the
development process.
4. Manual Testing: Conduct manual testing for complex features that require
human judgment and intuition. • Perform exploratory testing to identify unexpected
issues or edge cases.
5. Feedback Mechanism: Implement a feedback mechanism within the platform
that allows users to report bugs, suggest improvements, or share their experiences. •
Regularly review user feedback to prioritize enhancements and address issues
promptly.
8. Project Deliverables
The project will produce the following key deliverables:
1. Technical Proposal Document
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Outlines the project's scope, objectives, methodologies, architecture, and
technology stack, serving as a foundational guide for stakeholders and the project
team.
2. Requirements Analysis Document
Details the functional and non-functional requirements of the system, ensuring a
clear understanding of what is needed to deliver a successful product.
3. Software Design Document
Provides a blueprint for the software system, including system architecture, design
patterns, database schema, and user interface design.
4. Testing Document
Defines the testing strategy and methodologies, detailing test cases, acceptance
criteria, and quality assurance procedures to ensure the system meets quality
standards.
5. Working Software System
A fully functional and tested version of the platform, ready for use, accompanied
by user manuals, deployment documentation, and a maintenance plan.
These deliverables will ensure that the project is structured, well-documented, and
effectively meets user needs.
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Refrence
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