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First Basecamp

What is our First Basecamp?​

The Roll Claw First Basecamp represents the smallest viable set of features that delivers real value to colony caretakers while setting us on the path toward our full vision. It focuses on the most critical pain points identified in our research: cat tracking, basic health monitoring, and volunteer task coordination.

Core User Problem We're Solving​

Colony caretakers struggle with knowing if all cats have been accounted for, tracking basic health concerns, and coordinating care tasks among multiple volunteers. This leads to cats potentially being missed, health issues going unaddressed, and essential care tasks falling through the cracks.

Our First Basecamp directly addresses these fundamental problems with a streamlined set of features that work reliably even in challenging field conditions.

Key Features in First Basecamp​

  1. Quick Cat Sighting Recording

    • Fast, mobile-friendly interface for logging cat sightings
    • Works offline with automatic synchronization when connected
    • Minimal required information with option to add more details

  2. Missing Cat Detection

    • Automatic identification of cats not seen within customizable timeframes
    • Alert system for potentially missing cats
    • Last seen location and timestamp tracking

  3. Basic Health Status Tracking

    • Simple health issue recording with predefined common conditions
    • TNR status documentation with ear-tipping records
    • Critical medical alert notifications

  4. Essential Task Management

    • Clear assignment of daily care tasks to volunteers
    • Task completion confirmation with timestamps
    • Schedule recurring tasks for consistent care
    • Quick view of completed vs. missed tasks

  5. Colony Location Definition

    • Define key areas within the colony for accurate sighting records
    • Specify indoor/outdoor access permissions for each cat
    • Designate feeding station locations for consistent care

Why This is the Right Starting Point​

These features address the most urgent daily needs of colony caretakers:

  1. Accountability for All Cats: The sighting system ensures no cat goes unnoticed for too long, improving overall welfare.

  2. Coordination Between Volunteers: Task management prevents duplicated efforts and missed responsibilities.

  3. Health Issue Awareness: Basic health tracking ensures all volunteers are aware of cats needing special attention.

  4. Reliable Field Operation: Offline capabilities ensure the system works where and when caretakers need it most.

  5. Minimal Learning Curve: Focused functionality means volunteers can quickly adopt the system without extensive training.

Technical Foundation​

The First Basecamp establishes the core technical foundation that future features will build upon:

  1. Event Sourcing Implementation: Tracking cat sightings, health observations, and task completions as events

  2. Offline-First Architecture: Ensuring the system works reliably in field conditions

  3. Mobile-Optimized Interface: Making the system accessible where caretakers actually work

  4. Basic Domain Model: Establishing the fundamental data relationships between cats, locations, and care tasks

What We're Explicitly Not Building Yet​

To keep our First Basecamp focused and achievable, we're deliberately deferring:

  1. Advanced Analytics: While historical data will be collected from the start, complex analysis features will come later.

  2. Social Relationship Tracking: Family and social group relationships will be addressed in future releases.

  3. Inventory Management: Advanced supply tracking and ordering is deferred.

  4. Custom Fields and Advanced Configuration: The first release will focus on a standard configuration that works for most colonies.

  5. Integration with External Systems: Calendar, email, and third-party integrations will be implemented later.

Success Metrics for First Basecamp​

We'll know our First Basecamp is successful when:

  1. Every cat is accounted for: 100% of colony cats are sighted within expected timeframes.

  2. Care tasks are consistently completed: Essential feeding and maintenance tasks are reliably performed.

  3. Health issues are identified earlier: Problems are spotted and addressed before becoming severe.

  4. Volunteers report reduced mental load: Caretakers express confidence that nothing is being missed.

  5. System works reliably in the field: No data loss or critical failures during everyday use.

User Stories Included in First Basecamp​

The following user stories from our backlog are included in the First Basecamp:

Cat Identification & Tracking​

  • #1: Quickly record cat sightings
  • #2: See which cats haven't been spotted recently
  • #3: Add new cats to colony registry
  • #10: Record cat sightings in specific locations

Health Monitoring​

  • #11: Record observed health issues
  • #13: Document TNR procedures
  • #14: Receive notifications for cats needing medical attention
  • #20: Record a cat's death

Task & Volunteer Management​

  • #35: Register new volunteers
  • #36: Assign tasks to specific volunteers
  • #37: Mark tasks as complete
  • #38: Track completed vs. missed tasks
  • #40: Schedule recurring tasks

Location Management​

  • #21: Define colony locations and sub-areas
  • #22: Specify which cats have indoor access
  • #28: Define feeding station locations

Core Technical Requirements​

  • #71: Use the system offline
  • #72: Control access permissions
  • #73: Mobile-friendly interface
  • #78: Quick-entry mode for common tasks
  • #83: Clear task visualization for new volunteers

What Comes After First Basecamp​

After successfully implementing and validating our First Basecamp, we'll expand in these key directions:

  1. Enhanced Cat Profiling: More detailed cat information, photos, and identification aids

  2. Advanced Health Tracking: Comprehensive medical histories, medication tracking, and vet integration

  3. Social Dynamics: Family relationships, group associations, and territory conflicts

  4. Resource Management: Inventory tracking, equipment maintenance, and consumption analytics

  5. Advanced Analytics: Pattern analysis, predictive insights, and comprehensive reporting

By starting with this focused First Basecamp, we'll deliver immediate value to colony caretakers while establishing the foundation for our full vision. This approach reduces risk, allows for early feedback, and ensures we're building the right product to meet real-world needs.