Government Data Design

Role

Lead, Designer

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Objective

Integrate an additional dataset in the exiting site for a small government agency, considering the unique audience and use cases for this data compared to exiting site content, with a quick turnaround, small team, and inability to speak with members of the public for feedback.

 

Methodology

This was a case where the public availability of this dataset was not to be made publicly known until the time of launch, therefore we were not able to conduct user research with external users. Instead, we ran internal design sprints. Consisting of various subject matter experts across the agency, over a series of 5 sessions we introduced the design problem and sprint the process, ideated solutions, reviewed and selected the best options, and tested and revised working prototypes. All sessions had the developer present to aid in hole-poking. Each session was designed around making participants comfortable with the process and encouraging ideas form everyone. We also drew from previous user research in which the participants had mentioned this type of dataset and how or why they would use it.

 

Impact

The phase one launch met the requirements of the agency and overarching department, on time and in a way that provided the data in flexible but straightforward ways, ensuring multiple user cases. Now that the data was live, user research could be conducted before designing and launching phase two.