Here's the summary of responses from DV fellows in response to a survey about this collaboration space. (All the responses are in the attached spreadsheet. Click on "results of the survey" below to see them.):  

A. What do you want the site to provide them and what do they want to do on it?

The 5 top categories of tasks and goals are:

1. Schedule and plan: Read or enter information into group or personal calendar (Nearly half of the responses fall into this category.)
2. Communicate with the group or individual fellows
3. Coordinate with individuals or subgroups on projects
4. Get updated information about individuals, projects, and the DV program
5. Gain publicity for self, project, or the DV program

B. What would make the site more helpful to you?

Most suggestions mentioned navigation. Users would like to more easily locate tools they want to use and content relevant to their interests.

Your Comments:

• “Interface--too complicated”
• “Impossible to find the things I want to do.”
• “Main page does not reflect my usage.”
• “Navigating through the site is cumbersome.”
• “ Feels as though it takes too many clicks to get to desired location.”
• “ Knowing where things are posted would be helpful.
• Too cluttered, too much information.”

C. What can you currently do easily on the site?

Users do find the site helpful in enabling some communication, especially blogging and for finding information about speakers.

Recommendations:

1. Given the fairly consistent responses around navigation, scheduling and communication, I think it would be most helpful to usability test a revised design rather than the existing site.
2. Let's iterate with a apaper prototype and test  new navigation that highlights functionality related to the top five categories of tasks.
3. Users should be encouraged to continue blogging.
4. Email can facilite communcation and updating calendar events until the site can better support this. (Keeping in mind the valid concern that too many emails will bury important messages. So emails to the whole group should be limited to time sensitive and important messages.)