Wachemo University

College of Engineering and Technology

School of Computing and Informatics

Department of Software Engineering

A Senior Project Proposal

Research Title and Course Outline Similarity Checker

By

Amanuel Fentahun

Amanuel Desalegn

Kirubel Deke

Mebratu Dejene

Yordanos Mengistu

Advisor

Mr._________.

Date: - 11/14/2024
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................... 1
1.1. Background ...................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1.1. Background of the organization .............................................................................................. 1
1.1.2. Background of the system ........................................................................................................ 2
1.2. Statement of problem....................................................................................................................... 3
1.3. Team Composition ........................................................................................................................... 4
1.4. Objectives of the project .................................................................................................................. 5
1.4.1. General Objective ..................................................................................................................... 5
1.4.2. Specific Objectives .................................................................................................................... 5
1.5. Feasibility Study ............................................................................................................................... 6
1.5.1. Technical Feasibility.................................................................................................................. 6
1.5.2. Operational Feasibility ............................................................................................................. 6
1.5.3. Economical Feasibility .............................................................................................................. 7
1.6. Scope and Limitation ....................................................................................................................... 7
1.6.1. Scope........................................................................................................................................... 7
1.6.2. Limitations ................................................................................................................................. 8
1.7. Significance of the Project ............................................................................................................... 9
1.8. Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 10
1.8.1. Development Tools .................................................................................................................. 10
1.8.2. Testing Procedure .................................................................................................................... 11
1.9. Task and Schedule .......................................................................................................................... 12
1.9.1. Time Plan ................................................................................................................................. 12
1.9.2. Budget Planning ...................................................................................................................... 12

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 1. INTRODUCTION

Hossana, a growing urban center and the head of Ethiopia's Central Region, currently faces a
significant gap in its delivery infrastructure. While the town has seen rapid development,
particularly in terms of digital access, residents lack a formalized delivery service for food,
groceries, and other essentials. At present, informal delivery providers, mostly using motorcycles,
serve customers through direct phone and other methods.

The demand for convenient delivery services is on the rise globally, and Hossana is no exception.
As urbanization increases, residents are seeking ways to access goods without the need to travel.
A structured, crowdsourced delivery platform could facilitate the process, providing a reliable,
easy-to-use system that allows customers to place orders from local businesses with features like
real-time tracking, secure payment options to ensure reliability. This formalized approach would
make delivery more dependable, cost-effective, and accessible, providing modern solutions to
address the town’s growing needs.

Beyond enhancing customer experience, the crowdsourced delivery platform offers substantial
economic and social benefits. By creating flexible job opportunities for local drivers, the platform
would provide a source of income for residents, boosting financial independence and contributing
to the local economy. Local businesses, particularly restaurants and groceries, would also benefit
from increased exposure and a wider customer base. The platform would foster stronger
community connections, supporting those with limited mobility, and create a scalable model that
could expand to other towns across Ethiopia, promoting digital inclusion and modernizing delivery
services throughout the country.

1.1. Background
1.1.1. Background of the organization

Our team comprises five final-year software engineering students from Wachemo University, each
of us brings a unique set of skills and a shared passion for using technology to address real-world
challenges. As a team, we have united under a shared purpose, to design and develop innovative
digital solutions that solve pressing community issues and improve the quality of daily life for
local residents. This project, a web-based crowdsourced delivery platform customized for

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Hossana, marks our commitment to using our education to contribute meaningfully to our region's
growth and modernization.

Our vision is to create solutions that foster both convenience and economic development within
our community. This vision shapes our mission to bridge service gaps in Hossana by offering a
reliable, scalable platform that connects customers with local businesses and drivers. We see this
project as a starting point, with potential to evolve into a long-term, sustainable startup that
supports job creation and provides meaningful, reliable services to residents and businesses alike.

While this platform currently serves as our final-year project, it also represents our entrepreneurial
aspirations. Recognizing the vast potential in Ethiopia’s digital economy, we aim to establish a
service that can scale beyond academia, offering Hossana’s residents and local businesses a formal,
convenient delivery infrastructure. By taking this leap, we aspire not only to deliver value to our
community but also to gain experience in real-world technology and business development,
preparing us for future professional and entrepreneurial endeavors.

1.1.2. Background of the system

Across the globe, crowdsourced delivery platforms have become essential in transforming
traditional delivery services, particularly in urban and semi-urban areas where on-demand
convenience has become a norm. Services like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Glovo have leveraged
technology to revolutionize how people access goods and services, making it possible for
customers to order from their favorite restaurants, grocery stores, or retail outlets through an
improved digital platform. These platforms connect customers with nearby drivers, often
independent contractors, who fulfill orders efficiently and affordably, with features like real-time
tracking, secure payments.

In Hossana, however, such a structured, digital delivery infrastructure is non-existent. Currently,

local residents rely on informal networks to arrange deliveries, often through personal contacts or
self-employed drivers who promote themselves on social media platforms. This system lacks the
organization, reliability, and ease-of-use found in established digital delivery platforms, leaving
customers with limited options and businesses without a dependable means to reach their
customers quickly and consistently. Without a structured platform, local merchants and customers
alike face challenges in coordinating deliveries, ensuring quality, and building trust. This gap

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highlights an urgent need for a formal delivery solution that simplifies the process, makes it
accessible, and aligns with the evolving digital landscape in Hossana.

Our proposed system aims to bring the best aspects of global crowdsourced delivery models to
Hossana, customized specifically to the community’s unique needs and infrastructure. By
introducing features like real-time tracking, secure payments, we envision a platform that not only
increases access to goods but also supports local businesses by offering them a reliable way to
expand their reach.

1.2. Statement of problem

Hossana currently lacks an organized, digital platform for delivery services, leaving residents to
rely on informal arrangements with independent motorbike drivers. This setup limits accessibility
and convenience for customers who must reach out to drivers individually, often without any
assurance of timely or affordable service. As a growing regional hub with increasing access to
mobile and internet technologies, Hossana is primed for a more efficient delivery model that meets
the expectations of a digital economy.

The absence of a structured, trackable system also impacts trust and reliability, both for customers
seeking convenience and for businesses hoping to expand their reach. Customers face uncertainty
about delivery times, quality of service, and transaction safety, which collectively hinders local
adoption of delivery services. For businesses, the lack of a reliable delivery infrastructure restricts
their ability to serve a broader audience and reduces potential sales.

Moreover, there is a clear opportunity for income generation and job creation. By launching a
digital platform, our team seeks to address the gap in local delivery services while also creating a
sustainable source of income as a startup. This platform has the potential to employ local drivers
and support economic growth by formalizing an essential service for Hossana’s residents.

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1.3. Team Composition

Our team consists of five committed members who bring diverse expertise essential to the
successful development of a crowdsourced delivery platform.

➢ Project Manager: Responsible for coordinate the development phases, manage timelines,
and ensure resources are used effectively.
➢ Requirements Engineer: Responsible for gathering, analyzing, documenting, and
managing the system requirements. This role involves working closely with stakeholders
to understand their needs and translate them into detailed requirements for the development
team.
➢ System Architect: Responsible for designing the overall system architecture and defining
the technical blueprint of the application. This role includes selecting the appropriate
technology stacks (e.g., programming languages, frameworks, libraries, cloud services)
that best fit the project’s needs.
➢ Frontend Developer: Responsible for creating a responsive and engaging user interface
for customers and drivers. This role focuses on designing the layout, visuals, and
interactive elements of the application, ensuring that users can easily navigate and perform
actions on the platform. This member collaborates closely with the UI/UX Designer to
translate design into functional and visually appealing user experiences.
➢ Backend Developer: Responsible for managing the server-side logic, database
interactions, and API development that power the application. This role focuses on
implementing secure, scalable, and efficient functionalities that support the front-end
experience.
➢ Database Administrator (DBA): Responsible for managing the data storage, retrieval,
and overall health of the database. This includes designing the database schema to support
efficient data organization and retrieval, ensuring data consistency and integrity, and
implementing backup and recovery plans.
➢ UI/UX Designer: Dedicated to developing a user-centered design that prioritizes usability,
accessibility, and visual appeal. They conduct user research, prototype design concepts,
and refine interactions to meet the needs of the target audience. This role plays a critical
part in ensuring that the application’s interface is intuitive and welcoming, enhancing the
overall user experience for customers and driver alike.

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 ➢ Quality Assurance (QA): Ensures that the platform meets quality standards through
rigorous testing and is responsibly deployed and maintained. As the QA lead, they test each
system component, address bugs, and validate that functionalities operate as intended.

1.4. Objectives of the project

1.4.1. General Objective

To develop a web-based crowdsourced delivery service that connects customers with local service
providers, facilitating accessible, affordable, and efficient delivery of food and goods in Hossana,
Ethiopia.

1.4.2. Specific Objectives

Here are some of specific objectives of the project:

➢ To gather detailed requirements from local businesses and potential customers to ensure
that the system meets their needs in user registration, order management, delivery tracking,
and payment processing.
➢ To analyze the gathered requirements, for designing a robust and secure system that
enables seamless order management, real-time tracking, and effective user management.
➢ To design system architecture, using UML diagrams to capture user interactions, back-
end processes, and data flows, ensuring efficient operation and security of user data, orders,
and transactions.
➢ To develop responsive front-end interface that allows customers, drivers, service
providers, and system managers to easily interact with the platform, enhancing user
experience.
➢ To implement back-end system using [Link], [Link], and other technologies to
handle server-side operations, including user authentication, order processing, delivery
tracking, and user communication.
➢ To enable real-time delivery tracking, allowing customers to monitor their order status
and expected delivery times accurately.
➢ To incorporate a secure and reliable payment gateway, that facilitates smooth
transactions, supporting mobile payment options for user convenience and security.
➢ To conduct testing through unit, integration, ensuring that the system is stable, secure,
and performs efficiently under different conditions.

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 ➢ To deploy the system for initial use, monitor its performance, gather feedback, and make
necessary adjustments to optimize the service before expanding to a broader audience.

1.5. Feasibility Study

1.5.1. Technical Feasibility

➢ Technology Stack: The project will utilize modern and reliable technologies, including
React for the frontend and [Link] for the backend, ensuring scalability, flexibility, and
robust performance. These technologies are well-suited for handling user interactions, real-
time updates, and secure payment processing.
➢ Infrastructure Requirements: The platform will be hosted on scalable cloud services,
which can handle growing traffic and provide the necessary infrastructure for real-time
delivery tracking and notifications. The system is designed to be compatible with 4G
networks, which are widely used in Hossana, and is also ready to support 5G as it becomes
available.
➢ Device Compatibility: The system will be designed to work efficiently on commonly used
smartphones and desktops, including both Android and iOS platforms, ensuring
accessibility for local users.

1.5.2. Operational Feasibility

➢ Local Infrastructure: Hossana currently lacks a formal delivery system, with informal
drivers using motorbikes. Our system will formalize and optimize this process by providing
a reliable platform for local drivers and businesses. This transition will improve delivery
speed, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
➢ Workforce Availability: There is a sufficient number of potential drivers in Hossana who
are familiar with mobile phones, computer desktop and digital platforms. Our system will
allow local individuals to become part of the delivery network, creating job opportunities
and empowering the workforce.
➢ User Adoption: Observation that are taken from local residents and businesses indicate a
high demand for an affordable and reliable delivery service. The increasing use of smart
gadget and the growing preference for digital services make the adoption of this platform
feasible and likely.

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1.5.3. Economical Feasibility

➢ Initial Investment: The primary costs for the project include software development,
infrastructure (cloud hosting), and integration of third-party services for payment
processing and notifications. These costs have been estimated and we will find an initial
investor for the third-party API integration cost. Beside the API integration cost, other
development costs are manageable.
➢ Revenue Model: The service will generate revenue through a transaction fee charged to
users per delivery. This fee structure is designed to be affordable for users while generating
sustainable income for the platform. Local businesses will also benefit from increased
exposure and customer reach, which justifies their participation.
➢ Sustainability and Growth: The platform is designed to scale as internet access improves,
particularly with the introduction of 5G. The system has the potential to expand beyond
Hossana, serving other regions as demand grows. By adding features like business
promotions, the system can build trust and encourage repeat usage.
➢ Economic Impact: The system will create job opportunities for local drivers and support
the growth of local businesses by providing them with a new, reliable channel for
delivering goods. The platform will stimulate Hossana’s local economy and contribute to
the overall digital transformation of the region.

1.6. Scope and Limitation

1.6.1. Scope

The Crowdsourced Delivery Service initiative seeks to establish a lively, effective, and
community-focused delivery network designed specifically for the needs of Hossana, Ethiopia.

➢ User Registration and Profiles: Customers, drivers, service providers, and system
managers will each have dedicated profiles, allowing secure access to their respective
interfaces.
➢ Order Placement and Tracking: Customers can browse and place orders from local
businesses listed on the platform, with real-time tracking of orders through a live map
interface.

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 ➢ Charity Orders: Customers can order items in bulk for charity organizations, allowing
organizations to view and manage orders from different customers across various
restaurants or grocery stores.
➢ Payment Integration: Secure, flexible payment options will be available, including
mobile money services such as Tele-birr and local payment options.
➢ Driver Matching System: A real-time algorithm will match customer orders with
available drivers based on proximity, ensuring efficient and timely [Link] system
will notify drivers about the order details, including pick-up and drop-off locations, along
with the delivery fee. If a driver does not accept the request, the system will search for
another nearby available driver.
➢ Rating and Review System: After each delivery, customers will be able to rate the drivers,
providing feedback on their experience.
➢ Delivery Notifications: The platform will send real-time notifications to customers,
keeping them updated on the status of their orders. Customers will be notified about order
acceptance, the driver's estimated time of arrival.
➢ Eco-Friendly Delivery Options: Customers will have the option to choose their delivery
method, selecting between vehicle, bike, or motorbike to promote eco-friendly practices.
➢ Customer Support: A dedicated customer support feature will be available to assist users
with inquiries and issues related to orders and the platform.
➢ Personalized Recommendation System: The platform will include a personalized
recommendation system to suggest relevant products and services to customers based on
their preferences and purchase history.

1.6.2. Limitations
Despite the comprehensive functionality, this system has certain limitations:

➢ Limited Driver Availability: As the platform relies on a network of independent drivers,

the availability of drivers during peak hours may pose challenges, potentially causing
delays in order fulfillment.
➢ Dependence on Smart gadgets and Internet Access: Both customers and drivers need
access to smart gadgets and reliable internet to effectively use the platform.
➢ Competition with Informal Delivery Services: Informal delivery services, where drivers
connect with customers directly via social media, may offer more flexibility. The platform

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 will need to differentiate itself through quality, security, and reliability, which informal
services may lack.
➢ Financial Constraints: Initial funding requirements are substantial, and the platform’s
sustainability will depend on successfully monetizing the service through delivery fees,
partnerships, and other revenue streams.

1.7. Significance of the Project

The Crowdsourced Delivery Platform project is a transformative initiative for Hossana, Ethiopia,
where residents currently rely on an informal, phone call-based delivery system. This organized,
web-based platform not only enhances delivery convenience but also holds substantial economic,
social, and environmental value for the local community and beyond.

➢ Bridging Local Businesses and Residents: By connecting customers with local

businesses through a reliable, web-based delivery system, the project simplifies access to
food and groceries. This reduces the need for physical trips, offering greater convenience
to busy residents or those with limited transportation, thus improving daily life in Hossana.
➢ Promoting Local Businesses and Facilitating Economic Growth: Small and medium-
sized businesses, particularly restaurants and grocery stores, gain access to a larger
customer base through the platform, allowing them to modernize their operations and
increase visibility. This increased business activity drives sales, encourages local spending,
and fosters innovation, supporting Hossana’s economy and promoting sustainable local
business growth.
➢ Creating Employment Opportunities: The project introduces new job opportunities for
local residents to work as drivers, providing a flexible income source for individuals with
motorbikes or bicycles. This is especially valuable for young people and those seeking
flexible work, contributing to financial independence and strengthening the local
workforce.
➢ Promoting Digital Transformation in Ethiopia: As Ethiopia undergoes rapid digital
development, this project aligns with national goals for digital adoption by introducing a
tech-driven, crowdsourced delivery platform. This approach supports Hossana’s adaptation
to digital services, contributing to the growth of Ethiopia’s digital economy and
encouraging residents and businesses to embrace new technologies.

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 ➢ Supporting Digital Literacy and Skill Development: By integrating online ordering,
secure payment options, and order tracking, the project encourages digital literacy among
users and businesses. Additionally, the project fosters skill development in technology,
project management, and entrepreneurship for team members and participants, offering a
platform for professional growth and enhancing digital skills within the community.

1.8. Methodology

The Waterfall methodology is suitable for this project as it follows a structured, sequential
approach, where each phase of the development process is completed before moving on to the
next. This methodology allows for a clear and well-defined roadmap, which is ideal for projects
with fixed requirements and a stable scope, such as this one. In the Waterfall model, we can define
each functionality and module upfront, ensuring that they meet the necessary specifications before
implementation begins. Since the project will progress in distinct phases (requirements gathering,
design, development, testing, and deployment), it is easier to track progress and ensure quality at
each stage. Waterfall’s linear approach minimizes scope creep and ensures that the project stays
focused on predefined objectives. The system’s design will be thoroughly reviewed and approved
at each stage, making it easier to implement changes before development begins, reducing the risk
of major rework later in the project.

1.8.1. Development Tools

Hardware Tools:

➢ Personal Computers: For development, testing, and deployment.

➢ Servers: For hosting the application, databases, and other system components.

Software Tools:

➢ React: For building dynamic, responsive user interfaces.

➢ Bootstrap or Tailwind CSS: For quick, responsive UI styling with minimal custom
CSS.
➢ [Link] with Express: For server-side logic and routing, offering efficiency and
scalability.

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 ➢ MongoDB (NoSQL) or PostgreSQL (SQL): For flexible and reliable data storage,
chosen based on the project’s scalability and structured/unstructured data requirements.
➢ [Link]: For live order tracking and notifications between customers and couriers.
➢ Visual Paradigm: For designing the system’s architecture and modeling the database
and application components using UML diagrams.
➢ Figma: For creating user-centric designs and prototypes, ensuring a smooth user
experience (UX).
➢ Git and Git-hub: For managing code versions, collaboration, and maintaining a
history of code changes, ensuring an efficient development workflow and easy rollback
of changes when necessary.
➢ Google map API: For real-time tracking and map services.
➢ Tele-birr: Widely used and trusted mobile payment solutions in Ethiopia, supporting
secure, cashless transactions.
➢ Local hosting service providers like [Link] and so on.
➢ Postman: For testing and documenting APIs, ensuring proper interaction between the
back-end and front-end, and validating system functionality.
➢ Selenium: For automated testing of the front-end to ensure that the user interface and
interactions work as intended across different browsers and platforms.

1.8.2. Testing Procedure

[Link]. Unit Testing

Unit testing will be performed to validate individual components of the system, such as user
registration, login, and order placement. Unit tests will be written for each module to ensure that
it works as expected in isolation.

[Link]. Integration Testing

Integration testing will focus on ensuring that all components of the system work together
seamlessly. This will involve testing the interactions between the back-end (e.g., API calls), the
front-end (user interface), and the database. The goal of integration testing is to verify that the
entire system functions correctly when all parts are integrated.

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1.9. Task and Schedule
1.9.1. Time Plan
The project will be completed over a period of 6 months. The key phases of the project and their
estimated durations are outlined below:

Phase Duration Description

Requirement Gathering and 3 weeks Collect detailed requirements from
Analysis stakeholders, define system functionalities.
System Design Design system architecture, database
5 weeks
schema, and UI/UX wireframes.
Frontend Development 3 weeks Implement React-based user interface.
Backend Development 5 weeks Develop API services using [Link],
Express, Python (Flask), and PostgreSQL.
Integration and Testing 4 weeks Integrate system components, perform unit
testing, and validate system functionality.
User Acceptance Testing 2 weeks Involve end-users in testing to verify that the
(UAT) system meets requirements.
Deployment 2 weeks Deploy the system to the live environment
and conduct final system checks.
Maintenance and Feedback Ongoing Post-deployment support and feedback-
Iteration based adjustments.

1.9.2. Budget Planning

Below is a cost estimate for each component needed to bring the project to completion:

Item Cost (USD) Details

Cloud Hosting 1700-5600 birrs Hosting the system on a cloud platform.
API Integration 36,000 birrs Integration of third-party APIs (for payment, maps,
etc.).
Other Development Free Open-source tools used for development and testing.
Tools
Total Estimated Budget 37,700 – 41,600 Total project cost estimate.
birrs

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