Delivery Assurance
Last updated
Was this helpful?
Last updated
Was this helpful?
Blockchain protocols and automated governance are vital, but they sometimes need human intervention, too
Cardano is a decentralized, open-source blockchain, and like all software, it needs maintenance and enhancements to retain its relevance and introduce new features.
Intersect will ratify maintenance and enhancement actions through membership participation, the recommendations of elected committees such as the technical steering committee, and community governance actions.
These actions will often involve doing some work, whether organizing an event or developing a piece of technology. Once work and work packages have been agreed upon and committees have recommended work to a suitable supplier, delivery assurance is needed. These specialists at Intersect have the knowledge, skills, and experience to manage contracts and projects from award to successful conclusion.
By adhering to documented, transparent processes that reflect industry best practices, delivery assurance works to earn and maintain the trust of all stakeholders.
Delivery Assurance acts on behalf of Intersect Committees and those who have chosen Intersect to be their named administrator.
The delivery assurance function provides Intersect committees and any budget proposer who has selected Intersect to be their administrator with processes and expertise in project management, who sit within a broader operational services team Intersect will be able to provide the following services; Contract management, Delivery assurance and Communications, Fund management, Fiat conversion, Legal, KYC / KYB, Dispute resolution, Technical and Financial auditing. It’s a service that allows committees to focus on their primary purposes, making recommendations on behalf of the membership, without needing to spend time undertaking these delivery tasks, which can be heavily administrative.
Intersect’s delivery assurance professionals set expectations, engages the right people to review deliverables by providing them to the DReps for review, and the committees for their final evaluation. Delivery Assurance manage the payments to suppliers, and deliver regular reporting to committees, community, suppliers, and members.
In 2024, delivery assurance was pivotal in the novation and delivery management of 14 core continuity contracts. The full list of projects is publicly available on the .
Initially established to manage contracts with the remit of 'core continuity' technical work, this function has grown alongside the organization, adapting to serve our community's needs better.
Originally, delivery assurance focused on overseeing technical contracts, ensuring projects were managed efficiently and effectively on behalf of the community. Over time, however, the team's responsibilities have expanded to provide broader support across various contract types, serving more of our steering committees.
As we step into the future, delivery assurance remains focused on ensuring that every project administered by Intersect is delivered successfully, supporting the continued growth and success of Intersect and the wider ecosystem.
Delivery assurance monitors the delivery of contracted updates to Cardano on behalf of the community. Its processes and procedures are building a body of knowledge that will ensure continuing improvement by and on behalf of the entire community. By identifying risks early, confirming the quality of deliverables, and helping contributors meet their milestones, delivery assurance fills an essential role in the ongoing success of Cardano.
Intersect has used best practice from external bodies such as the Association for Project Management (APM) and the Project Management Institute (PMI), to ensure that we are serving the community in the best possible way. Please find below some examples of where we have utilised best practice.
Suppliers delivering work on behalf of the community have a responsibility to ensure their contributions are clear, valuable, and accessible to everyone impacted by the blockchain and the Cardano ecosystem.
To achieve this, suppliers are expected to:
Host Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions Suppliers will organize interactive AMA sessions to engage directly with the community. These sessions provide:
Opportunities for the community to ask questions and understand the progress and impact of ongoing work.
Transparency around goals, challenges, and achievements.
Clear explanations of how supplier contributions align with the broader objectives of the Cardano ecosystem.
Provide educational material Suppliers are responsible for creating educational content tailored to the community’s needs. This may include:
Technical Documentation: Clear and accessible information explaining the work being delivered, its purpose, and how it integrates with the ecosystem.
Guides and Tutorials: Resources that help users understand and interact with new developments.
Updates and Reports: Regular summaries highlighting progress, milestones, and the value created for stakeholders, most of which will be captured through the use of a Milestone Acceptance Form (MAF).
Demonstrate value to the community Suppliers must articulate how their work benefits the broader community, including:
End-user impact: Describing the positive outcomes for those interacting with or impacted by the blockchain.
Alignment with Cardano goals: Demonstrating how their contributions strengthen the Cardano ecosystem’s decentralized vision and add tangible value.
At Intersect, delivery assurance plays a key role in ensuring transparency and accountability when reporting on contracts across our committees. Our team provides regular feedback to committees and the wider community, covering contract progress, key milestones, value to the community / end user.
To keep stakeholders informed, we provide:
Monthly reports – Delivered to the community, these reports offer a concise overview of contract status, key developments, and any risks or challenges.
Quarterly reports – A more holistic view of progress and achievements across Intersect administered contracts, which will be publicly available, ensuring full transparency on project progress and outcomes.
Link to where this information will be stored is TBC.
APM's 10 Key Principles of Stakeholder Engagement ()
What is managing contracts in project management? ()
PMI's Practice of Public Engagement on Projects ()
APM's Insights on Building a Collaborative Culture ()