An author begins a new project from scratch. (Like someone in our Author focus group.
The first step is using the project designer/storyboarder to create an outline that is based on sound pedagogical design principles. The designer tool prompts and supports the author in various ways such as providing examples, highlighting the 4 metaprinciples, and offering a template for the author to fill in things like project title, description, learning goals, etc. See designer notes for more info.
Following initial storyboarding, an author enters the main project authoring interface that let's him or her add content, assessment items, and other materials. One important feature is being able to input context sensitive help at each step. This provides more thorough support for learners and encourages authors to consider possible difficulties that students might have at each stage in the project.
At any point in the project an author should be able to preview the final product. It would be nice if we could do this in a separate window that could be kept open and referred to whenever needed.