Hi Lynn,
Thanks for the additional feedback. In terms of changing the color when an internal comment is made ... we can probably look at some better way of indicating an internal comment has been made, sooner than allowing evaluators to make comments on the application questions.

I'm not sure yet if this would be a color or another type of indication. In general, we're trying to limit the amount of colors ... in part because more colors can be distracting, in part because some people don't see colors that well, and in part because they can clash with the colors that a foundation uses in their color scheme. That said, there are definite times for using them.

I'll keep this in mind as we start planning out some of the first half 2014 releases. Thanks,
-chris

I would like to weigh in on a bit of a different angle. I would agree with Kristen in keeping the "Show Applicant this Comment" piece, and I agree that it would be wonderful for board members to be able to add comments as well with the important feature here being that the comments are situated behind each question. Perhaps it is something that could be added to a new "role" of Administrator "Lite".

What I would also like to see added is a change of color when a comment is made in the box. Right now it changes color for the applicant if you click that check box. But it you are putting in an internal comment, the box does not change colors and when the rest of the text you are reading is from left to right, the comment being aligned on the right is not too noticeable and could be easily missed.

Is this something that could fit with what you are talking about here?

Thanks!

Lynn Larson

Foundation Administrator

Fred & Jean Allegretti Foundation

Hi,

I would want to keep the "Show Applicant this Option" feature for the administrator only and not for any other users. Even so, I don't see myself using this feature very often, as I will typically just email the applicant any further questions / comments - especially now that the email system keeps a record of it.

If I'm understanding you correctly, something resembling the "request comment" functionality would work well, as long as it is situated behind each question in the application. I see this as a good spot for evaluators to "mark up" the application as they prepare for committee meetings and site visits. It would be an efficient way to track notes and to share them with other evaluators.

I hope this helps.

September 17, 2013 by Kristen Cullen, Carolyn Foundation

I guess if I needed comments to go back to the applicant - I would email those to them. Not make a comment within the application for them to see on their side. That's just me.

As for the "request comment" section - I could certainly have the board members put their comments there. IF they can do that. When I try it now as a board member (without admin access) it doesn't give me the opportunity to type any comments in.

I think the ease of being able to put them in right under the section they just read was the main benefit.

posted September 17, 2013 by Derek Jernstedt, Quest Foundation

Hi Kristen and Derek,

First, thanks for taking the time to provide more feedback and for posting the screenshot - that goes a long way to making things clear.

My biggest concern / question at this point is that the way I see the screenshot, it looks like everyone (administrators, staff evaluators, and Board Members) would all be making comments in the same field. This would limit the ability to post the comment back to applicants (I think) and it would also make it the job of the commenter to identify themselves - which really isn't ideal.

I'd actually see this more like the "request comment" functionality (see attached) where everyone could add comments, but only the comments the administrator added could be marked as "Show Applicant this Comment" ... however, this further complicates things in that with this type of implementation, multiple comments could be marked as viewable by the applicant.

Any feedback on what I'm saying? Also, if a staff evaluator made a comment, would it be viewable by the board, or not?

I'd appreciate hearing from others who have an opinion on the priority and/or implementation ideas for this idea. Thanks in advance for any additional feedback

posted September 3, 2013 by Chris Dahl, Foundant Technologies

Hi Chris,

I envision using it internally only. We'd like to use it as a place for the evaluators to share comments with one another during the review process. Derek's photos capture perfectly what I'd like to see! I'm happy to give you more details, if you'd like.

Thanks!

posted September 3, 2013 by Kristen Cullen, Carolyn Foundation

Our board members are trying to figure out a way to make their notes within the site, while reviewing an application.

When this "comments" section appeared - it seemed like a great option. Our board still meets to discuss the proposal and having the notes in there wouldn't be an issue with either of our two foundation's boards (HEDCO and Quest).

Understand what you're saying though Chris - that some may not want others to see this and it would/could be optional.

We'd love it...but it's only for Administrators right now.

posted August 29, 2013 by Derek Jernstedt, Quest Foundation

Hi Kristen & Derek,

Thanks for the suggestion. I do need a bit of clarification just so I'm certain we're talking about the same thing.

Kristen - by "the comment field enhancement within the application", do you mean the ability of administrators to mark question comments as "viewable by the applicant"? And Derek - is that how you interpreted it as well? Or do you mean something like allowing the reviewers / board members to simply comment on each application question themselves but NOT make it viewable to the applicant?

In either case, one thing we do need to consider is how to make this an optional feature, since I'm pretty sure there are a number of folks who would not want their reviewers and/or board members to be able to do this. It'd be great if other folks could add their perspectives to help give us a sense of what people are looking for in terms of this type of functionality.

Looking forward to hearing more details about this

posted August 29, 2013 by Chris Dahl, Foundant Technologies

I second Kristen's comments. Actually thought the evaluators (Board Members) could do this...so I told them about this cool new ability to post their comments in the site while reviewing proposals. Found out that this is only for people with administrator rights. Would LOVE to see it added for all!

Thanks

posted August 26, 2013 by Derek Jernstedt, Quest Foundation