Purpose Statement

The First Due Idea Portal provides a centralized platform for users to submit feature requests, enhancement suggestions, and improvement ideas directly to the development team. This system enables users to contribute to the platform's evolution by sharing feedback, voting on existing proposals, and tracking the status of submitted ideas, ultimately helping prioritize development efforts based on user needs and community input.

Background Information

The Idea Portal serves as a bridge between First Due users and the development team, creating a collaborative environment for platform improvement. This feature is particularly valuable for emergency services organizations that need specific functionality to meet operational requirements, compliance standards, or workflow efficiency goals. Users can leverage community voting to amplify important requests and stay informed about development priorities through status tracking and subscription features.

Required Permissions

• No additional permissions required beyond basic platform access
• SSO authentication automatically handled through First Due login credentials

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Step-by-Step Guide

Accessing the Idea Portal

1. Navigate to the Idea Portal: Scroll to the bottom of the module stack on your First Due dashboard and click "Submit an Idea"
   

1. Automatic Login: The system uses Single Sign-On (SSO) from your First Due account, eliminating the need for additional password management
   

Exploring Ideas and Community Features

3. Review All Ideas: Upon login, you'll land on the "All Ideas" page where you can browse existing submissions
   

3. Utilize Sorting Options: Organize ideas by selecting "Recent," "Trending," or "Popular" to find relevant content efficiently
   

3. Apply Status Filters: Filter ideas by their current development status to track progress on submissions of interest
   

3. Search Existing Ideas: Use the search functionality to locate specific ideas or topics before submitting duplicates
   

3. Access Personal Dashboards: Navigate to "My Ideas," "My Votes," or "My Subscriptions" to manage your personal activity
   

Filtering and Voting on Ideas

8. Filter by Category: Select "First Due" and then choose a specific category to narrow your focus to relevant functional areas
   

8. Vote on Ideas: When you find an idea you support, click "Vote" to add your endorsement and increase its visibility
   

8. Track Voting Activity: Monitor your voting history through the "My Votes" section
   

Submitting New Ideas

11. Initiate New Submission: Click "Add A New Idea" to begin the submission process
    

11. Select Module Category: Click "Choose a module" and select the First Due module that best aligns with your suggestion
    

11. Enter Idea Details: Type your idea description in the provided field
12. Review Similar Suggestions: If the system identifies similar existing ideas, you can select and vote for those instead of creating duplicates
    

11. Complete Submission: If your idea is unique, add comprehensive details and click "Add Idea" to submit your suggestion
    

Best Practices

Before Submitting Ideas:

• Search existing ideas thoroughly to avoid duplicates and consolidate community support
• Review similar suggestions and consider voting for existing ideas rather than creating new ones
• Choose the most specific module category to ensure proper routing to development teams

When Writing Ideas:

• Provide clear, detailed descriptions of the requested feature or improvement
• Include specific use cases and operational benefits for emergency services
• Explain how the idea would improve efficiency, compliance, or user experience
• Use professional language appropriate for development team review

Community Engagement:

• Regularly vote on ideas that would benefit your organization's operations
• Subscribe to ideas you want to track for development updates
• Participate in community discussions when available to provide additional context

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: I can't access the Idea Portal - what should I do? A: Ensure you're logged into your First Due account with standard user permissions. If issues persist, contact your system administrator to verify account access.

Q: Why don't I see the "Submit an Idea" option? A: The option appears at the bottom of the module stack. 

Q: Can I edit or delete an idea after submission? A: Contact First Due support for assistance with modifying or removing submitted ideas, as editing capabilities may be limited post-submission.

Q: How do I know if my idea is being considered for development? A: Monitor the status filters and subscribe to your submitted ideas to receive updates on development progress and priority changes.

Q: What happens if multiple users submit similar ideas? A: The system identifies similar submissions and encourages consolidating votes on existing ideas rather than creating duplicates, helping development teams prioritize based on community support levels.