Usability in Blockchain: Experimental analysis of platforms for descentralized autonomous organizations

Abstract

Blockchain has become in a groundbreaking and innovative technology in the field of data management and digital transactions. However, it is already showing its potential to revolutionize the way users interact not only with applications, but also with each other. Its decentralized nature, which removes any control by a central authority, aims to foster new forms of governance between users. This paradigm shift has given rise to the concept of Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), which empower communities to collectively make decisions and manage resources in a transparent and democratic manner. The growing popularity of DAO platforms, frameworks that provide an interface to allow users to create and deploy DAOs, has increased the need to investigate their usability and user experience. This master's thesis aims to evaluate the usability of two prominent DAO platforms, namely Aragon and DAOhaus. A usability experiment has been designed in which participants interact with the platforms and fill out a standardized System Usability Scale (SUS) usability questionnaire. The results provide insights into the usability strengths and weaknesses of Aragon and DAOhaus, as well as the underlying blockchain