Social Media MVP for the Australian Government

About Client

Swivel Tech was approached by an individual working within the Australian Government, an enthusiastic visionary seeking to address the communication gap between citizens and the government. This client, driven by a desire to harness technology for societal benefit, embarked on a journey with us to create a digital platform enabling direct engagement between Australian citizens and Members of Parliament (MPs).

Client's Requirement

In the present day, common channels of communication between citizens and their elected representatives can be limited, making it difficult for people to express their concerns or opinions directly. This results in the public feeling that there is a lack of transparency in their representatives' decision-making process. Generally, many citizens lack awareness in political processes and initiatives or activities conducted by the Government.

As a result of this, the client's saw an opportunity to create an online platform that facilitates the connection between Australian citizens and Members of Parliament (MPs). The platform allows citizens to bring awareness to their challenges and issues so that the MPs provide solutions.

Additionally, citizens can propose solutions while other users can upvote and comment on the issues that resonate mostly with them. The solutions with the highest votes can be chosen by MPs for implementation.

Likewise, the client required an MVP to prototype their idea before moving the platform into the production stage. The client was also seeking to implement a KYC system to help authenticate the users who join the forum.

Our Solution

In response to evolving client objectives and challenges encountered during development, our team devised comprehensive solutions and implementation strategies.

To address fluctuating client requirements, our team adopted a flexible approach, constantly restructuring work priorities to accommodate feature updates, new ideas, and changes throughout the development cycle. This agile methodology ensured that essential aspects of the project remained prioritised and aligned with the client's evolving needs.

Recognising the necessity for long-term scalability and data management, particularly concerning the platform's potential for attracting a sizable user base, our team focused on implementing robust solutions. Leveraging the expertise of a diverse team of experts with over 10 years of experience, including software architects, UI/UX designers, software engineers, quality assurance specialists, and DevOps engineers, we embarked on extensive research and analysis.

Key features such as user following, upvoting, commenting, and proposing solutions were meticulously integrated to enhance user engagement and interaction. Additionally, we introduced a ranking system and leaderboard, incentivising valuable user contributions and fostering a sense of community.

To address data management challenges, we adopted a serverless architecture utilising Amazon Web Services (AWS). This approach ensures efficient handling of high traffic volumes while offering scalability and cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, integration of Digital ID, provided by the Australian Government, bolstered user authenticity and trust within the platform.

Our strategy involved parallel development on both backend and frontend components, enabling efficient progress and timely delivery. Continuous and transparent communication channels were maintained with the client to address any unclear requirements and ensure alignment with project goals.

By adhering to agile methodologies, our team facilitated continuous improvement and cross-functional collaboration, enabling us to adapt swiftly to changing requirements and deliver a robust, user-centric solution that met and exceeded the client's expectations.

Results and Impact

The development of the MVP for the social media platform yielded significant results and had a profound impact on fostering communication and collaboration between citizens and their elected representatives.

- Direct Communication and Collaboration: The platform successfully established a direct channel for citizens to engage with Members of Parliament (MPs), enabling them to voice their concerns, propose solutions, and participate actively in the democratic process. This direct interaction facilitated meaningful conversations and collaboration between citizens and government officials, bridging the gap between the two parties.

- Democratic Approach to Issue Resolution: By implementing a voting system where users could upvote and comment on proposed solutions, the platform adopted a democratic approach to addressing challenges. This allowed the community to prioritise solutions based on popular demand, ensuring that the most pressing issues were brought to the attention of MPs for consideration and action.

- Pilot Testing and Successful Functionality: The pilot version of the platform, tested within a closed community setting, demonstrated successful functionality and usability. This initial testing phase provided valuable feedback for further refinement and improvement, ensuring that the platform met the needs and expectations of its users.

- Increased Engagement and Participation: The platform's interactive features, such as user following, upvoting, and commenting, contributed to increased engagement and participation from both citizens and MPs. Users felt empowered to actively participate in discussions, share their perspectives, and contribute to the decision-making process, leading to a more inclusive and transparent governance model.