A five-step plan for communicating with leadership
How to engage leadership personally, adapt communication styles, and choose appropriate timing for effective interactions and feedback.
Blogs
Government teams are improving digital experiences every day. Gain insights from their stories, case studies, and innovations.
The U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) team will chat with Center for Civic Design co-founder Whitney Quesenbery about designing accessible civic spaces.
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2024
One year with the new USAGov
It has been a year since USA.gov and USAGov en Español were relaunched using human-centered design principles. Using task backlog, the USAGov team has addressed content gaps, improved discoverability, and implemented technical updates. Through usability tests, visitor comments, and click behavior the team was able to unravel and respond to user feedback and unmet needs, leading to noticeable increases in visitor satisfaction and task accomplishment. Moving forward, the focus will shift to enhancing public engagement with the government, improving the search for benefits-related content, and exploring interactive and personalized user experiences. — via USA.gov
FEMA National Summit on Risk Communications, Crisis Communications, and Community Engagement
The Federal Emergency Management Agency Office of External Affairs is convening risk and crisis communicators and community leaders who are on the front-line of the climate and emerging hazard crises. Attend the free, June 10, 2024, summit virtually, or in Washington, DC. The agenda includes: the sharing invaluable tools and insights, how to implement culturally competent and accessible communications, how to integrate behavior change strategies, and more. An ASL interpreter will be provided. — via Federal Emergency Management Agency
Creating a blueprint for quality: How the PX Contact Center helps agents grow their skills
Every day, live agents at USA.gov’s Public Experience (PX) Contact Center answer questions from the public about government benefits and services. Learn how the PX Contact Center develops a workforce of excellent agents, using immersive onboarding, tailored and continuous training, feedback loops, and calibration meetings to empower their agents to deliver accurate information. USA.gov’s system for employee and contact center management ensures that every customer interaction leaves a lasting impact. — via USA.gov
Google Analytics 4: Transition strategies for federal websites
Learn how the Open Data, Design, and Development (ODDD) team at the Department of the Interior (DOI) transitioned from Google Analytics - Universal Analytics to Google Analytics 4! Discover how the ODDD team coordinated with the Digital Analytics Program, developed explorations (instead of custom reports), and set up their own DOI agency property. — via Office of Natural Resources Revenue
The U.S. Web Design System (USWDS) team will go over some basics of Web Components and how they apply to the design system.
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2024
Determining the true value of a website: A GSA case study
GSA has developed a composite indicator to visualize six key components of website success.
Delivering seamless customer journeys
GSA shares a 4-step process used to measure and analyze related websites, and additional plans to improve customers’ digital experience.
Now available: Trusted Tester for Web Certification courses, version 5.1.3
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has updated its Trusted Tester program courses. It features six improvements, including accessible plain language, adjusted exam requirements, and enhanced course design. The updated curriculum aligns with the latest Trusted Tester Conformance Test Process for Web, offering a more efficient learning experience. Enrollment is open via the Training Portal, and inquires can be directed to the DHS Accessibility Helpdesk for assistance. — via Section508.gov
Celebrating the work of public servants
Performance.gov invites you to participate in their #GovPossible campaign to celebrate Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW)! Recognize the invaluable efforts of government employees who ensure that the everyday needs of Americans are met. Access a range of tools and resources to help you join the #GovPossible campaign and show your support. The #GovPossible toolkit makes it easy for you to participate in this important (and fun!) campaign. — via Performance.gov
Meet your Digital Experience Council
The Digital Experience Council plays a critical role in coordinating governmentwide efforts and assisting agencies in delivering digital experiences that meet the public’s needs and expectations.
Justice department to publish final rule to strengthen web and mobile app access for people with disabilities
On April 8, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland signed a final rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to ensure the accessibility of web content and mobile applications for people with disabilities. This final rule clarifies the obligations of state and local governments to make their websites and mobile applications accessible. Learn more about this rule and why the Attorney General believes it will “break down barriers that have kept people with disabilities from fully participating in American Life.” — via Department of Justice
Reconsidering the consent form: the least user-friendly aspect of UX research
The Open Data, Design, and Development (ODDD) team has replaced signed consent forms with a more accessible user research agreement process, offering multiple opt-in points. This ensures informed consent and participant autonomy. Explore why and how the ODDD team implemented this comprehensive participant consent process in their user research. — via Office of Natural Resources Revenue
How USAGov uses data to improve content
Each month, USAGov’s content designers spend many hours ensuring that the content on USA.gov and USAGov en Español is up-to-date, accurate, and meets user needs. Learn how their team does holistic reviews of each topic section based on a rolling calendar with the goal of updating all content at least every 6 months. — via USA.gov
Join the U.S. Web Design System team for a lesson on customizing and extending the design system.
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2024
Search.gov year in review: 2023 report
Learn what types of information people searched for on federal websites in 2023, see emerging trends the team is exploring to improve customers’ search experience in 2024, and check out three new updates. The data tab provides insightful summaries for 13 popular topic areas—and lists the public’s top 25 search terms, in their own words, for each. — via Search.gov
Annual Gathering
Digital.gov Spring Community Summit 2024
Digital service experts across the federal government will share case studies and best practices on delivering a digital-first public experience.
2024
Optimizing the federal digital experience: aligning content governance, coordination, and database development
This blog post dives into the details of building a dynamic content database and audit for onrr.gov. Learn how effective subject matter expert (SME) coordination, strategic content planning, and application of visualization tools contribute to enhancing content governance and user experience on a federal website. — via Office of Natural Resources Revenue
Learn about the USWDS component lifecycle, and how you can suggest a new component.
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2024
