notes/projects/network-app/feasibility.md

The Network App - Technical Feasibility Assessment

Date: 2025-06-26
Purpose: Evaluate technical approach, architecture, and development requirements

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Executive Summary

The Network App is technically feasible with the proposed stack (Swift/SwiftUI, Firebase, Claude AI). The project is moderate complexity with well-understood patterns. Main challenges are AI integration quality and compliance implementation. Estimated timeline: 12-16 weeks for MVP.

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1. Swift/SwiftUI Architecture Recommendations

Platform Choice: Native iOS ✅

Why Native:

• Best performance for data-heavy CRM
• Full access to iOS features (biometrics, contacts, notifications)
• SwiftUI is mature and production-ready (iOS 16+)
• Offline-first capabilities easier to implement
• Better for sensitive data handling

Why NOT Cross-Platform:

• Single platform requirement (iOS first)
• Native gives compliance advantages
• No need to compromise on UX

Recommended Architecture: MVVM + Clean Architecture

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    Presentation                      │
│  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐ │
│  │   Views     │  │ ViewModels  │  │   Router    │ │
│  │ (SwiftUI)   │  │ (ObsObj)    │  │ (Coordinat) │ │
│  └─────────────┘  └─────────────┘  └─────────────┘ │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                      Domain                          │
│  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐ │
│  │  Use Cases  │  │  Entities   │  │ Repositories│ │
│  │             │  │ (Models)    │  │ (Protocols) │ │
│  └─────────────┘  └─────────────┘  └─────────────┘ │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                       Data                           │
│  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐ │
│  │  Firebase   │  │   Claude    │  │   Local     │ │
│  │  Service    │  │   Service   │  │   Cache     │ │
│  └─────────────┘  └─────────────┘  └─────────────┘ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Key SwiftUI Patterns

1. State Management: Combine + ObservableObject
2. Navigation: NavigationStack (iOS 16+)
3. Data Flow: Single source of truth in ViewModels
4. Dependency Injection: Protocol-based for testability

iOS Version Target

• Minimum: iOS 16.0
• Reason: NavigationStack, modern SwiftUI features
• Coverage: ~95% of active iPhones

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2. Firebase Structure for Client Data

Why Firebase ✅

Advantages:

• Real-time sync built-in
• Offline persistence automatic
• Authentication included
• Cloud Functions for backend logic
• Good security rules system
• Scales automatically

Considerations:

• NoSQL requires careful data modeling
• Compliance certifications available (SOC 2, ISO 27001)
• Data residency options exist

Firestore Data Model

users/
  {userId}/
    profile: { name, email, settings }
    subscription: { tier, expires }

clients/
  {clientId}/
    userId: string (owner reference)
    basic: {
      firstName, lastName, email, phone
      address: { street, city, state, zip }
    }
    professional: {
      company, role, industry
    }
    personal: {
      birthday, anniversary
      interests: []
      family: { spouse, children: [] }
      preferences: {}
    }
    notes: []  // Array of timestamped notes
    tags: []
    matchPreferences: {
      excludeFromMatching: boolean
      excludeClientIds: []
    }
    metadata: {
      createdAt, updatedAt, lastContactedAt
    }

communications/
  {communicationId}/
    userId: string
    clientId: string
    type: "email" | "newsletter" | "birthday"
    status: "draft" | "approved" | "sent"
    aiGenerated: {
      content: string
      generatedAt: timestamp
      promptUsed: string
    }
    finalContent: string
    sentAt: timestamp

matches/
  {matchId}/
    userId: string
    client1Id: string
    client2Id: string
    aiReasoning: string
    score: number
    status: "suggested" | "approved" | "introduced" | "rejected"
    introducedAt: timestamp
    outcome: string

events/
  {eventId}/
    userId: string
    clientId: string
    type: "birthday" | "anniversary" | "followup" | "custom"
    date: timestamp
    recurring: boolean
    reminderDays: number
    lastTriggered: timestamp

Security Rules Strategy

// Firestore Security Rules (simplified)
rules_version = '2';
service cloud.firestore {
  match /databases/{database}/documents {
    // Users can only access their own data
    match /clients/{clientId} {
      allow read, write: if request.auth != null 
        && resource.data.userId == request.auth.uid;
    }
    
    // Audit log - write only
    match /auditLog/{logId} {
      allow create: if request.auth != null;
      allow read: if false; // Only via admin SDK
    }
  }
}

Offline Strategy

1. Firestore Persistence: Enable by default
2. Optimistic Updates: UI updates immediately
3. Conflict Resolution: Last-write-wins for most fields
4. Sync Indicator: Show pending changes to user

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3. Claude AI Integration Approach

API Integration Architecture

┌─────────────┐     ┌─────────────┐     ┌─────────────┐
│   iOS App   │────▶│  Firebase   │────▶│  Claude API │
│             │     │  Functions  │     │             │
└─────────────┘     └─────────────┘     └─────────────┘
                          │
                    API Key secured
                    in Cloud Functions

Why Cloud Functions Proxy:

• API key never on device
• Rate limiting and cost control
• Audit logging for compliance
• Can cache/optimize requests

Claude Use Cases & Prompts

1. Personalized Email Generation

System: You are a professional wealth advisor writing to a valued client.
Maintain a warm but professional tone. Incorporate personal details naturally.

Context:
- Advisor name: {advisorName}
- Client: {clientName}
- Their interests: {interests}
- Recent notes: {recentNotes}
- Purpose: {emailPurpose}

Generate a personalized email that feels genuine, not templated.

2. Client Match Suggestions

System: You are analyzing client profiles to identify valuable networking 
opportunities. Only suggest matches that would genuinely benefit both parties.

Client A: {profileA}
Client B: {profileB}

Evaluate potential match:
1. What shared interests or complementary needs exist?
2. How might they benefit from knowing each other?
3. Confidence score (1-10) with reasoning
4. Suggested introduction approach

Output as JSON: { score, reasoning, introductionSuggestion }

3. Birthday/Event Messages

System: Generate a thoughtful birthday message from a wealth advisor to 
their client. Should feel personal, not generic.

Client: {clientName}
Relationship tenure: {yearsSinceClient}
Interests: {interests}
Last interaction: {lastNote}

Keep it brief (2-3 sentences) and sincere.

Cost Estimation

Use Case	Tokens/Request	Requests/Month	Monthly Cost
Email generation	~800	200	~$2.40
Match analysis	~1200	100	~$1.80
Birthday messages	~300	50	~$0.45
Total estimated			~$5-10/user

Based on Claude 3.5 Sonnet pricing ($3/M input, $15/M output)

Error Handling

1. Timeout: 30-second limit, show "AI thinking..."
2. Failure: Graceful fallback to templates
3. Rate Limits: Queue and retry with exponential backoff
4. Content Filtering: Review AI output before displaying

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4. Security & Compliance Considerations

GDPR Compliance

Requirement	Implementation
Right to Access	Export all client data as JSON/PDF
Right to Deletion	Hard delete with cascade (Firebase Admin SDK)
Data Portability	Standard export format
Consent Tracking	Store consent timestamps per client
Data Minimization	Only collect necessary fields

HIPAA Considerations

If storing health-related notes (e.g., "client mentioned health concerns"):

1. BAA with Firebase: Google offers BAA for Cloud/Firebase
2. Encryption: AES-256 at rest (Firebase default)
3. Access Logging: Audit trail for all data access
4. Employee Training: Document handling procedures

Encryption Strategy

Layer	Method
In Transit	TLS 1.3 (Firebase default)
At Rest	AES-256 (Firebase default)
Sensitive Fields	Additional client-side encryption (optional)
Local Cache	iOS Keychain for sensitive data

Authentication Flow

┌──────────────┐    ┌─────────────┐    ┌──────────────┐
│   App Launch │───▶│  Biometric  │───▶│   Firebase   │
│              │    │  (FaceID)   │    │     Auth     │
└──────────────┘    └─────────────┘    └──────────────┘
                           │
                    Fallback to PIN

Audit Logging

Log these events to a write-only collection:

• User login/logout
• Client record created/modified/deleted
• AI generation requested
• Export performed
• Data deletion requested

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5. Complexity Assessment

Feature Complexity Breakdown

Feature	Complexity	Effort (days)	Risk
Client CRUD	Low	5	Low
Search & Filters	Medium	4	Low
Firebase Auth	Low	2	Low
Client Profile UI	Medium	6	Low
AI Email Generation	Medium	5	Medium
AI Matching	High	8	Medium
Birthday Tracking	Low	3	Low
Push Notifications	Medium	3	Low
Offline Support	Medium	4	Medium
Compliance Features	Medium	5	Medium
Settings & Preferences	Low	2	Low

Technical Risks

Risk	Probability	Impact	Mitigation
AI quality inconsistent	Medium	High	Prompt iteration, human review
Firebase scaling costs	Low	Medium	Monitor usage, set alerts
iOS approval delays	Low	Medium	Follow guidelines strictly
Offline sync conflicts	Medium	Medium	Clear conflict resolution UX

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6. Timeline Estimate

Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-4)

• Project setup, architecture
• Firebase configuration
• Authentication flow
• Basic client CRUD
• Deliverable: App shell with auth and data persistence

Phase 2: Core Features (Weeks 5-8)

• Client profile UI (full)
• Search and filtering
• Notes and tags
• Event/birthday tracking
• Push notifications
• Deliverable: Functional CRM without AI

Phase 3: AI Integration (Weeks 9-12)

• Cloud Functions setup
• AI email generation
• AI matching algorithm
• Review/approval workflows
• Deliverable: Full AI features working

Phase 4: Polish & Compliance (Weeks 13-16)

• Compliance features (export, delete)
• Audit logging
• UI polish and edge cases
• Testing and bug fixes
• App Store preparation
• Deliverable: Production-ready app

Total Estimate: 12-16 weeks

With buffer for unknowns: 16-20 weeks

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7. Technology Recommendations

Recommended Stack

Component	Technology	Rationale
Language	Swift 5.9+	Modern, safe, performant
UI	SwiftUI	Declarative, less code
Architecture	MVVM	SwiftUI natural fit
Backend	Firebase	Real-time, offline, scales
Database	Firestore	Flexible schema, good sync
Auth	Firebase Auth	Turnkey, secure
Functions	Cloud Functions	Secure AI proxy
AI	Claude API	Quality, context length
Analytics	Firebase Analytics	Integrated, free
Crash Reporting	Firebase Crashlytics	Integrated, free

Development Tools

• Xcode 15+ - Latest SwiftUI features
• Swift Package Manager - Dependency management
• SwiftLint - Code quality
• Firebase Emulator - Local development

Third-Party Libraries

Keep minimal:

• Firebase iOS SDK
• (Optional) Kingfisher for image caching
• (Optional) SwiftUI introspect for edge cases

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8. Conclusion

Feasibility: ✅ HIGH

The project is well within established technology patterns. No experimental tech required.

Key Success Factors

1. AI Prompt Engineering - Invest time in quality prompts
2. UX for AI Review - Make human approval frictionless
3. Offline-First - Critical for mobile advisor use
4. Compliance Documentation - Start early, not late

Recommended Next Steps

1. Finalize scope and budget
2. Set up Firebase project
3. Create Figma designs for key screens
4. Begin Phase 1 development

Cost Summary

Item	One-Time	Monthly
Development (16 wks)	$15-40K*	-
Firebase (100 users)	-	$25-50
Claude API (per user)	-	$5-10
Apple Developer	$99/year	-
Total Year 1	~$15-40K	~$75-150

*Development cost varies significantly based on who builds it