I spent some time working on improvements in the area of the IOTD/TP:
I applied several performance improvements to the pages used by the IOTD/TP staff. This helps them be more effective and perform their activities more often.
I formalized and notified you about the IOTD/TP rules. You are now required to read and accept them before you may submit your images for consideration. Acceptance can be expressed in your preferences.
I made it so that IOTD/TP badges are only assigned once they're really final. For more information, please consult the FAQ “My image has been X days in the IOTD/TP process, and received Y votes by Submitters/Reviewers. Why doesn't it show an award badge?” on the IOTD/TP FAQ page.
I made it so that images that are not viewed by 80% of their designated Submitters automatically start the process again. This ensures that images do not "fall thru the cracks" if they are unlucky and get submitted for consideration at an unfortunate time.
I increased the number of voting slots for Submitters and Reviewers. As the volume, but mostly the quality, of your submissions increased, it was time to allow more images to be awarded.
I added an informative window where you can check how many views and votes your images received in the IOTD/TP process. You can access this using the (i) badge available on images that are currently in the process or were awarded, or the View → IOTD/TP Stats menu entry for all other images.
I performed an analysis of some metrics I collected by IOTD/TP staff members in order to understand and correct potential misunderstandings and align values. As a result, I implemented two new notifications for staff members. First, they get notified when they Dismiss an image that ends up being awarded (this is okay in moderation, as opinions differ and there's a subjective element in evaluating astrophotographs; however, if this happens systematically, it could signal a misalignment of values), and they get monthly reports with metrics that they can use to improve their activity as IOTD/TP staff members. In the future, these metrics will help with having the best possible IOTD/TP team.
Image collaborators are now also notified when an image they collaborated to gets awarded. Previously, only the person who uploaded the image was notified, and not the people tagged as collaborators.