Listening to our users helps us to evolve GO to meet their needs. This blog provides a summary of the GO survey 2022 and how that fits with our approach to member-centred design.
We are approaching four years since the launch of the GO platform. Over that time, we have added many data layers and business processes, and the platform has more or less doubled in users each year.
Stepping back, there are some things we are happy with, including GO’s
- Flexibility to accommodate varying information availability and requirements for different scale emergency operations, regional and country pages
- Ability to collect and display Movement-wide disaster assessment information
- Distributed ownership of data, built on a trust-based approach
- Simple, clear design
- Data-driven features which incentivise use, including automated maps, charts and reports
- Reliability
- Open-source code, meaning we can share components with members of the IFRC and make changes based on evolving needs
As ever, there’s plenty still on the to-do list, including to
- Make information easier to find — particularly improving search and navigation
- Incorporate some critical IFRC decision-making processes to connect with growing database
- Integrate additional data using the IFRC analysis framework as our guide
- Add value to more IFRC network operational business processes and programmes
- Surface more of the available data to encourage curiosity, demonstrate accountability and enable analysis
During a team workshop in Budapest last month, we recognised the need to make a significant upgrade to keep up with the platform’s potential. To inform these changes based on evidence, we have embarked on a consultation which we are calling the GO Study, which uses mixed methods to elicit views and inputs from across the membership. Read on for an update on what we have learnt so far, and the methods we will use to build evidence to inform our decision-making.
From user-centred analysis
The development of the GO platform has been guided from the outset by what is called user-centred design. This approach aims to optimise web design around how users can, want, or need to use the site based on their normal environment, behaviour, and expectations. In practice, this means we prioritise gathering and acting on user feedback and observations of the use of the site.
One such piece of evidence is our biennial user survey. The GO survey 2022 report and analysis is presented in a set of slides below. Looking at the results, we were pleased that three quarters of the respondents were from National Societies, but concerned that awareness of GO is still very variable across the IFRC network. Overall, we hear that our users are satisfied and we were inspired by their many ideas they have on how to improve the site. We thank all who contributed your feedback, ideas and vision for the future.
The next stage of the GO study will involve a mixture of qualitative and quantitative data gathering with those who have indicated their interest to contribute their thoughts in more detail. The quantitative study focus aims primarily at eliciting views on GO’s information architecture. We will be using card sorting and tree testing exercises to gather this data, supported by Yellow Umbrella, our Experience Design Agency.
Meanwhile, we will be organising several 1:1 60-minute interviews with different user types to understand their current usage, needs, and challenges (if any), as well as gather insights (based on ‘user profiles’) about specific sections of GO (e.g. 3Ws or risk module).
To member-centred design
GO must constantly evolve to meet the current and future concerns collectively identified by the Movement. The need to recognise the distinctive values and principles of our collective means we need to move from user centred analysis to a member-centred design approach.
To ensure consistency and coherence, we need to stay true to our core mission to provide the data platform which connects emergency needs to the right response before, during and after crises. Within this frame, to complement the data collected through the GO study, we need to take in the bird’s eye view, i.e consult with senior management. We will be interviewing several IFRC network leaders and managers to hear their vision and needs for the platform over the coming weeks. While we have some specific questions on their use and expectations, we will also encourage an open conversation to encourage us to think big for the next stage.
Looking forward, in order to ensure constant strategic feedback, we will be creating a GO Advisory Group. Although the final Terms of Reference for the group needs to be defined and agreed with the participants themselves, we would anticipate the group to help us prioritise new features, give perspective and feedback on proposed features and help us to secure resources.
If you are interested in participating in any of the above, please let us know at IM@ifrc.org.
