Content tagged “18F”

  1. De-risking government technology | 18F

    Only 13% of large government IT projects succeed*

    Implementing custom software projects can be extraordinarily costly and risky in a government setting. Waterfall software development remains standard at all levels of government. Outdated budgeting and oversight processes have been designed around these very waterfall processes. Moving toward a user-centered, agile approach to this work will save millions of dollars in spending on bad software.

    Another fantastic online resource from the team at 18F.

  2. 18F User Experience Design Guide

    18F user experience (UX) designers join cross-functional teams to improve interactions between government agencies and the people they serve. The 18F UX Guide helps us get this job done. It’s a starting point for UX design at 18F: doing it, discussing it, and ensuring it’s done to a consistent level of quality.

    Another useful open source guide from the incredible team at 18F.

  3. Don’t ask forgiveness, radiate intent – Elizabeth Ayer – Medium

    I really dig this twist on the existing maxim from Elizabeth Ayer:

    Here are 4 reasons that radiating intent is better than begging forgiveness:

    • Radiating intent gives a chance for someone to stop you before you do a thing, in case it’s truly harmful
    • Radiating intent gives people who have information, or want to help, an opening to participate
    • Radiating intent leaves better evidence of your good will
    • Radiating intent shows others that adventurous behavior is acceptable in the org.

    Her note on inclusivity is a good reminder for anyone dispensing advice to others:

    I also don’t believe that “ask forgiveness” is inclusive advice. If you are from a group who has historically not been granted forgiveness, how is that going to land? Or if you’re in a group with cultural baggage around subversive behavior?

    I was pleasantly surprised-not-surprised to see that Elizabeth works at 18F where they continue doing really important work building inclusive government services.

  4. 18F Content Guide

    How to plan, write, and manage content at 18F.

    Another great resource from the folks at 18F. The Inclusive Language page is especially noteworthy:

    The words we use can make the difference between forging positive connections or creating distance in our personal and professional lives. Particularly in writing, impact is more important than intent.

    As we build government services, we want to ensure they are accessible and welcoming to everyone who needs to use them. Inclusive language helps us to be more accurate and build trust with our users.

  5. Accessibility for Teams

    Put together by 18F’s Accessibility Guild, Accessibility for Teams is…

    A “quick-start” guide for embedding accessibility and inclusive design practices into your team’s workflow.

    In the post announcing the website’s launch, Maya Benari notes:

    Accessibility is a crucial part of government product design. First, it’s the law. Federal agencies face legal consequences when they don’t meet accessibility requirements. Second, it affects us all. Whether you have a motor disability, you sprained your wrist playing dodgeball, you need a building to have a ramp for your wheelchair or stroller, or you literally just have your hands full, we all find ourselves unable to do certain things at different points in our lives. Accessible products are better products for everyone.

    Congratulations to Maya and everyone else on the team for launching this useful accessibility guide!