Cardano Case Studies & Past Work
Over several years, I designed and operated the governance and sustainability systems that enabled Cardano’s transition to a community-owned, fully open-source ecosystem. This work focused on funding continuity, contributor accountability, and operational maturity at scale.
🟦 Paid Open Source Model (POSM)
I designed and introduced the Paid Open Source Model (POSM), a funding framework that ensures sustainability for critical Cardano open-source projects.
- Problem: Open-source projects lacked consistent funding and maintainers were burning out.
- Solution: Established programs like Maintainer Retainer and Code for Us to provide structured financial support.
- Impact: Created predictable funding pathways for 25–50 projects, ensuring continuity of essential Cardano infrastructure.
🟧 Open Source Strategy (Funding & Sustainability)
I built a measurable, incentives-aligned strategy to sustain critical Cardano OSS.
- Portfolio Approach: Prioritize infra and high-leverage libraries; sunset low-impact work.
- Funding Logic: Tie budget to evidence (health scores, adoption, security posture, roadmap value).
- Programs: Paid Open Source Model (POSM) with Maintainer Retainer, Code for Us, Tooling Sustainability, and Developer Advocacy.
- Metrics & Reporting: Monthly maturity reports, repo audits, and KPI dashboards to guide renewals and defunding.
- Outcomes: Maintainer continuity, healthier codebases, faster issue velocity, and clearer ROI for the ecosystem.
🟦 Governance Process (Design & Operations)
I designed and operationalized governance processes that align with Cardano’s community-driven model while keeping execution lightweight and auditable.
- Principles: Transparency, accountability, repeatability, community inclusion.
- Mechanics: Decision records, conflict-of-interest checks, reviewer/maintainer authority, formal RFCs/CIPs alignment.
- Lifecycle Gates: Incubation → Growth → Mature → Maintenance with published criteria and promotion/retirement rules.
- Interfaces: Clear touchpoints between community bodies (members, working groups, committees) and delivery (funding approvals, audits, security, releases).
- Outcomes: Predictable decisions at scale, reduced bottlenecks, and legitimacy through documented process—not personality.
🟧 Maintainer Retainer Program
I launched the Maintainer Retainer initiative to contract community maintainers for long-term support.
- Problem: Projects were stagnating without dedicated maintainers.
- Solution: Brought in compensated maintainers to work 12-month terms directly with projects.
- Impact: Improved code health, reduced issue backlog, and supported community inclusion into critical projects.
🟦 Contribution Ladder Framework
I developed the Cardano Contribution Ladder, a structured path for contributors.
- Problem: New contributors lacked a clear journey to grow into maintainers, leaders, or funded roles.
- Solution: Built a framework mapping levels of contribution and recognition across technical and governance roles.
- Impact: Lowered onboarding friction and gave clarity on how contributors can grow within the ecosystem.
🟧 Incubation Program & Lifecycle Audits
I helped create Intersect’s Incubation Program to professionalize open-source project maturity.
- Problem: Many projects didn’t have standards for documentation, testing, or governance.
- Solution: Designed lifecycle phases (Incubation → Growth → Mature → Maintenance) with strict criteria.
- Impact: Improved project reliability and transparency; audits now guide which projects are ready for funding or broader adoption.
🟦 Open Source Office (Intersect)
As Head of the Open Source Office at Intersect (Cardano’s member-based governance body), I:
- Set up policies and governance for the Open Source Committee (OSC).
- Built partnerships with organizations like TODO Group, Hyperledger, and Bitergia.
- Advocated for a decentralized OSPO (dOSPO) model that fits Cardano’s community-governed ethos.
🟧 Developer Advocate Program
I helped establish and mentor a Developer Advocate program for Cardano.
- Goal: Provide education, support, and advocacy for developers in the ecosystem.
- Impact: Strengthened developer culture, grew community adoption, and created visibility for Cardano projects worldwide.
🟦 Reporting & Analytics
I spearheaded Monthly Maturity Reports and GitHub repository audits.
- Problem: No standardized health metrics for projects.
- Solution: Introduced data-driven scoring (documentation, technical, and health criteria).
- Impact: Brought accountability, transparency, and actionable insights for ecosystem leaders and community members.
Why These Case Studies Matter
Cardano operates as digital public infrastructure.
Public infrastructure fails without governance, funding discipline, and accountability.
These case studies demonstrate how open-source ecosystems can scale professionally without sacrificing decentralization or community control.
Open Source Cowboy Consulting 