Failure of Focus
Many DAOs fail with a lack of focus and clear understanding by all participants of what the DAO is looking to accomplish.
To Solve - Develop a clear understand of our goals and ensure all members are working to accomplish those goals. We are working to do this now.
Misunderstanding of DAO Type
DAOs fall into a number of categories as defined here: DAO Landscape — Mirror 23. It is important that leaders and participants understand the type of DAO we are. This should influence a number of decisions such as how incentives work, what functions the DAO has internally, etc. For example, a service DAO should be very focused on delivering the services identified with internal DAO functions helping to deliver those services. A Media DAO should look different than a Service DAO.
To Solve - Clearly identify what type of DAO we are wanting to function as. Ensure all leadership teams take this into our Season 0 objectives. E.g., if we are a Service DAO we should answer all Season 0 questions as such.
Wide but Not Deep, or How to Drown
DAO resources spread out into many areas reducing the impact we can make. This is especially bad if there is a lack of focus (#1), but note that you can spread thin at the project level even with a clear overall objective. This happens when leadership and DAO members are afraid to say No. A relevant startup saying is, “Startups do not starve, they drown.” By saying yes to everything, resources thin and nothing is accomplished.
To Solve - Utilize our season structure to be willing to say No or Not Right Now to project ideas. Setup an icebox/backlog of project ideas we can review before each season.
Poor Incentive Structure
Rewards and recognization does not incentivize the accomplishment of our goals & objectives. This can happen when there is a lack of focus or understanding of our DAO Type. It can also happen when poor systems are put in place at the beginning of a DAO and the system cannot be easily flexed to incentivize the correct actions.
To Solve - Move slowly when determining DAO incentives and token mechanics that will not be easily changed. Ensure focus and goals are set. Ensure the reward mechanism is incentivizing those items being accomplished.
Casual: Signaling, passive activity, varied financial investment.
Casual contributors can participate very flexibly on an ad-hoc basis. They're invested in DAO success and complete available tasks (bounties) when they desire.
Core: Production, moderate activity, moderate financial investment.
Core Contributors are responsible for getting stuff done within their respective domain. They push forward the agenda, create bounty opportunities, and engage other stakeholders throughout the process.
Team: Stewardship, high activity, high financial investment.
Staff members are responsible for enacting the community voice and making high-level decisions around product and vision. In other words, making sure the DAO is pointed in the right direction.
Token Holder: Member has a financial stake in the DAO and may participate in governance. Usually does not contribute to ongoing operations, projects or bounties.
Bounty Hunter: Member may not be involved in daily DAO operations or planning, but actively seeks and completes interesting bounties.
Core Contributor: Member actively attends DAO meetings, consistently works on larger DAO priorities, and potentially leads projects with other DAO members.
Team: Member is responsible for the survival and vision of the DAO, treasury management, and other high-level priorities such as Seasonal community guidance.