Massimo I am happy to be the project manager initially I have some time available but we may need extra resources. I use BasecampHQ.com for managing projects though. I have already developed a lot of design documents for an LMS. I have watched Moodles development and heard of the usability of Blackboard and am horrified that such bad software still holds sway in Universities. The problem is as you say. No one has sat down and mapped out the ROLES that each user plays. I am a big advocate of design done the Alan Cooper way. www.cooper.com
Developing user persona's and then working out goals for that persona are key to getting the basics right in the first place. We will never get all the features people want but if you have the basic design right all the edge case scenarios can be priorities properly when considered against the main goals of each user. This sort of design is like a car... - The inside of the car is very functional and finished to a high degree. The steering and brakes etc are adjusted so the user experience is at an optimum. - The engine is not as well finished off in terms of feel or looks but is still very functional and does a specific job. - Then there is the trunk which is used from time to time but still does not have the same polish as the inside of the car. For each User of the system (developed with a persona) You work out Regular goals they are trying to achieve (these are similar to tasks but not the same) ie a goal is to get from Vegas to San Fran a task is to hire a car or take a bus or fly in a plane. Same goals but totally different tasks. If you focus on the tasks the goals become hidden. I would also love to work out a way we could generate a little revenue from this project. Maybe advertising on content or reselling content to other teachers. With the project team taking a small cut. Similar to maybe the google marketplace where there is free stuff and paid stuff (but still very cheap) That's the only way I can think of making money but not putting in subscription pricing. Just my two cents worth. Steve Shepherd
