Business Case

Executive Summary

Objective: The objective of the project is to develop an Uber-like application for dog walking services that allows users to review dog walkers in their local areas and book their time.

Expected Outcome: The expected outcome of the project is to provide a convenient platform for dog owners to find, review, and book dog walkers, while offering dog walkers an easy way to manage their schedules and client reviews.

Problem Statement

Current Challenges:

• Dog owners face difficulties in finding reliable and trustworthy dog walkers.
• Existing solutions are fragmented and often lack comprehensive reviews and booking systems.
• Dog walkers struggle to find consistent work and manage their client base.

Need for Dog Walking App:

• Streamline the process of finding and booking dog walkers.
• Provide a platform for dog walkers to showcase their services and manage bookings.
• Ensure trust and reliability through reviews and ratings.

Solution Overview

What is Uber for Dog Walkers: This is a mobile application that connects dog owners with local dog walkers. The app will feature user reviews, ratings, and a booking system to ensure convenient and reliable service.

Types of Dog Walking Apps:

• Basic Listing Apps: Apps that list available dog walkers without integrated booking or review systems.
• Comprehensive Service Apps: Apps that offer integrated booking, reviews, and ratings, along with additional features like GPS tracking and payment processing.

Benefits of Dog Walking Apps

• Convenience: Easy and quick access to local dog walkers.
• Trust and Reliability: User reviews and ratings ensure trustworthy services.
• Efficient Scheduling: Seamless booking system for both dog owners and walkers.
• Increased Visibility for Walkers: A platform to manage profiles, schedules, and client interactions.

Implementation Plan

Phase 1:

• Market research and requirement gathering.
• Design and development of the user interface.
• Integration of user review and rating system.

Phase 2:

• Development of the booking system.
• Implementation of payment gateway.
• Beta testing with a focus group.

Phase 3:

• Launch of the app.
• Marketing and user acquisition campaigns.
• Continuous improvement based on user feedback.

Cost Analysis

Initial Costs:

• App development: $50,000
• Design and UI/UX: $10,000
• Marketing and promotion: $20,000
• Legal and compliance: $5,000

Operational Costs:

• Server and maintenance: $5,000/year
• Customer support: $15,000/year
• Marketing and updates: $10,000/year

ROI Estimation:

• Projected monthly revenue from service fees: $10,000
• Estimated break-even point: 12 months

Risk Assessment

Technical Risks:

• Potential bugs and technical issues during launch.
• Security and data privacy concerns.

Mitigation Strategies:

• Thorough testing and quality assurance.
• Implementation of robust security measures.

Alternatives Considered

• Partnering with existing dog walking services.
• Developing a simple listing website instead of a comprehensive app.
• Utilizing social media platforms for service promotion.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Recommendation: Proceed with the development of the comprehensive dog walking app, focusing on user-friendly design, reliable booking system, and robust review and rating features.

Next Steps:

• Finalize project requirements and design.
• Begin development and engage with beta testers.
• Launch marketing campaign and app rollout.

Appendices

• Appendix A: Detailed feature list.
• Appendix B: Market research data.
• Appendix C: User personas and journey maps.