User Story 6 - As a stakeholder, I want the system to have unlockable badges, three of which can be displayed next to the user´s name, so that other users can have a quick understanding of a person's background without visiting the profile thus making the experience more efficient.

[DachiCharkviani]

Justification:
Introducing unlockable badges that are displayed next to a user's name will enhance the visibility of a user's expertise and contributions on the platform. This feature eliminates the need for users to visit profiles to assess someone's background, promoting a simplified interaction experience. In addition, this feature would also foster a sense of accomplishment and competition among users, further incentivizing participation and engagement. Lastly, this feature also helps new users identify credible and knowledgeable members within the community, which builds trust and increases the overall efficiency of the forum.

Impact:
This feature will significantly improve user experience by reducing the time it takes to access relevant information about users. Moreover, this feature will create more engagement by fostering competition and rewarding active participation with visible recognition. Furthermore, it will increase transparency because other users can instantly see a member's expertise without additional clicks, ultimately improving the forum's flow.

Effort:
The effort to implement this feature is medium because it requires integrating a badge system with clear progression mechanics. This feature would require both frontend and backend development since there are features that must be created from scratch just like badge assignment, display, and unlock conditions.

Backend:

• Develop the logic for awarding and managing unlockable badges.

• Ensure badges are tied to user profiles and are dynamically updated based on achievements or activities.

• Create a scalable system to track user progress and badge visibility.

Frontend:

• Design an intuitive interface for displaying up to three badges next to a user's name across posts and comments.

• Implement badge icons in all locations where user names are displayed, ensuring they are consistent and do not block any content.

• Add options in the user profile settings to allow users to select which badges to display from their unlocked collection.

Estimation of Time Required for Implementation: 20-30 hours