When I wrote the strategy for the new SSDS websites there are two considerations of the strategy that need further exploration. These are: the user type and feedback.

In the original strategy I identified these types of users:

Students

• Current - Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Campus Based and Distance Learning
  
• Perspective

Staff

• SSDS
• University of Leicester

Externals

• Collaborators and partners
• Other universities

Furthermore, in the strategy I highlighted one use of SSDS websites would be to gather feedback on our services. Not only reflecting on current practices, but also what they would like from the service. The Student Learning Centre has been proactive in the later in the 'Make a Suggestion' section of there website. This is something that needs to be re-explored in other services.  

Nevertheless, this blog posting came from another thought, the idea that you can utilise feedback from all the identified user types, and in my own practice the user type I see use the web services very regularly is SSDS members of staff. Therefore, why shouldn't I pro-actively seek feedback from them?

This could become another section of the SSDS intranet, in the Plone Development section. The feedback could be made up of four types of feedback.

1. Urgent requests, this isn't so much a feedback mechanism, but a method of managing the requests and questions I get asked. This could be called "How do you..." feedback, because recording these requests in this fashion will help inform any help resources or user guides that need writing.
2. Comments, this feedback would be short thoughts on design etc. I would expect comments like "found it hard to find x, i would recommend a link here". This is probably the most informal approach but should provide some great reflection on the design from the most understanding of users.
3. Formal Questionnaire, this would have to be a will designed form that captured quantitative feedback.
4. User test, the "can you find" approach. This would be a structured test that challenges staff to locate information and resources. This test the design and usability of the site to ensure information can be located efficiently and effectively.    

The later two will consider some consideration and design, the first two would be a quick start-up measure.