/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/authors/awichman/ Recent content on Digital.gov Hugo en-us /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2020/06/30/bringing-our-humanity-work-5-ingredients/ Tue, 30 Jun 2020 10:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2020/06/30/bringing-our-humanity-work-5-ingredients/ How to design impactful and engaging Town Hall or large group meetings. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2019/03/13/go-beyond-coaching-mentorship-get-started-as-a-sponsor/ Wed, 13 Mar 2019 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2019/03/13/go-beyond-coaching-mentorship-get-started-as-a-sponsor/ One step beyond mentorship is another practice called sponsorship: action-orientated, deeply invested support that helps others in their long-term professional advancement. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/06/10/collaboration-and-innovation-beyond-government-borders/ Fri, 10 Jun 2016 10:00:09 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/06/10/collaboration-and-innovation-beyond-government-borders/ How to start an innovation movement: Connect innovators with fellow innovators, and find more innovators to collaborate with. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/05/06/storytelling-in-a-digital-world/ Fri, 06 May 2016 10:00:58 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/05/06/storytelling-in-a-digital-world/ The art of storytelling has been around since the dawn of mankind. Storytelling remains relevant today, and a recent effort by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows how agencies can use storytelling to showcase great projects while also teaching employees new communication strategies. Over the past year, Chris Reed, an environmental protection specialist in EPA’s /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/04/15/how-gamification-can-break-down-bureaucracy-and-address-real-world-problems/ Fri, 15 Apr 2016 10:00:06 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/04/15/how-gamification-can-break-down-bureaucracy-and-address-real-world-problems/ The world’s toughest challenges require out-of-the-box thinking. But how can agencies facilitate intentional, structured collaboration that leads to this thinking? Gamification. To address issues ranging from maritime piracy to Naval energy use to 3D printing, the Navy uses gamification via MMOWGLI, the Massive Multiplayer Online Wargame Leveraging the Internet. MMOWGLI is an online gaming platform that /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/04/04/digitalgov-podcast-behind-the-scenes-of-the-social-and-behavioral-science-team/ Mon, 04 Apr 2016 10:00:15 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/04/04/digitalgov-podcast-behind-the-scenes-of-the-social-and-behavioral-science-team/ The Social and Behavioral Sciences Team (SBST) uses theories, research, and methods from the social and behavioral sciences to address and solve challenges faced by the public. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/02/23/the-benefits-of-being-push-y-reaching-your-audience-through-push-notifications/ Tue, 23 Feb 2016 13:00:27 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/02/23/the-benefits-of-being-push-y-reaching-your-audience-through-push-notifications/ Need to get in touch with your audience? Give them a little push. Push notifications allow agencies to connect with their audiences for immediate communication. The Office of Personnel Management’s OPM Alert app provides a real time look at the current operating status for federal offices in the Washington, DC, area and uses push technology /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/01/21/making-your-agency-apps-secure/ Thu, 21 Jan 2016 13:21:09 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/01/21/making-your-agency-apps-secure/ Security and privacy are part of the six Mobile User Experience Guidelines developed by the MobileGov Community of Practice. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/01/14/why-people-contribute-to-federal-tech-projects-and-how-you-can-provide-a-good-experience/ Thu, 14 Jan 2016 10:00:56 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/01/14/why-people-contribute-to-federal-tech-projects-and-how-you-can-provide-a-good-experience/ Author’s note: Anyone can contribute to the development of the Open Opportunities platform via the project’s GitHub repository. The Open Opportunities program itself is only open to federal employees. Open, agile software development projects can improve government initiatives. As discussed in last week’s article on agile projects in government, the Open Opportunities platform has benefited /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/01/08/what-are-your-customers-searching-for/ Fri, 08 Jan 2016 01:00:28 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/01/08/what-are-your-customers-searching-for/ What are your agency’s website visitors looking for? Can they find it easily? How do you know? Search analytics provide valuable data that can positively affect an agency’s Web strategy. This topic was the focus of a recent webinar, Show Me the Data: Leveraging Analytics in DigitalGov Search. Dawn Pointer McCleskey, acting program manager for /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/01/04/how-agile-development-can-benefit-federal-projects/ Mon, 04 Jan 2016 11:00:56 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2016/01/04/how-agile-development-can-benefit-federal-projects/ Agile methods help agencies deliver projects and products more efficiently and effectively. The benefits aren’t limited to deliverables: Going agile can break down the silos that exist between and within agencies. And collaboration doesn’t need to end at the federal level—agile projects done in the open provide a way for the public to contribute to /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/12/16/challenges-crowdsourcing-citizen-science-whats-the-dif/ Wed, 16 Dec 2015 11:10:18 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/12/16/challenges-crowdsourcing-citizen-science-whats-the-dif/ There’s more than one way to harness the wisdom of the crowd. In honor of December’s monthly theme, we’re diving into and defining the various ways that federal agencies use public contributions to meet real needs and fulfill important objectives. Crowdsourcing Two’s company, three’s a crowd—and getting input from many is crowdsourcing. A White House /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/12/01/trends-on-tuesday-facebook-tv-and-how-to-reach-millennials-and-hispanics/ Tue, 01 Dec 2015 11:00:55 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/12/01/trends-on-tuesday-facebook-tv-and-how-to-reach-millennials-and-hispanics/ How do you capture millennial and Hispanic eyes? Through their hands. (More specifically: their mobile devices, and the social apps within!). AdAge recently analyzed a study from Nielsen’s Homescan panel which found that in a typical month, 12.2% of millennials can only be reached through TV (looking at the top 10 networks only) versus 14.2% /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/11/23/wherever-you-go-there-we-are-the-geolocation-api/ Mon, 23 Nov 2015 13:00:37 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/11/23/wherever-you-go-there-we-are-the-geolocation-api/ No matter how you go mobile, you can meet your user’s needs. Recommendations based on location are plentiful, particularly on native apps. But don’t fret, agencies with mobile websites: you can also get in the location customization game. Geolocation is a W3C scripting API that can be used with JavaScript in Web browsers. In the /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/10/30/digitalgov-summit-recap-innovation-through-customer-experience/ Fri, 30 Oct 2015 11:10:21 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/10/30/digitalgov-summit-recap-innovation-through-customer-experience/ A panel discussion at the 2015 DigitalGov Citizen Services Summit delved into customer experience (CX) work at three agencies with diverse missions. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/10/30/digitalgov-podcast-bridging-content-and-discovery-through-digitalgov-search/ Fri, 30 Oct 2015 01:12:28 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/10/30/digitalgov-podcast-bridging-content-and-discovery-through-digitalgov-search/ Recently, search analyst Dawn McCleskey sat down with us to discuss the work of DigitalGov Search. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/10/09/how-agencies-can-support-employee-professional-development/ Fri, 09 Oct 2015 10:00:09 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/10/09/how-agencies-can-support-employee-professional-development/ Providing professional development for over 100,000 employees is no easy task. To build on the existing skills of their workforce, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has piloted AgOpportunity, a program that matches USDA employees with projects that need their skills and interest. The idea for AgOpportunity came from the Partnership for Public Service’s Excellence /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/10/06/trends-on-tuesday-the-rise-of-apps-the-decline-of-tv/ Tue, 06 Oct 2015 10:00:24 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/10/06/trends-on-tuesday-the-rise-of-apps-the-decline-of-tv/ Move over, 60 inch widescreens—for the first time ever, U.S. consumers are spending more time in mobile apps than on TV. An article from Flurry Insights, the blog for Yahoo’s mobile analytics service, covered the recent viewing trends. Apps are now the top media channel in the United States: on average, people spend 198 minutes on /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/09/30/how-ostp-crowdsourced-a-crowdsourcing-toolkit/ Wed, 30 Sep 2015 10:18:38 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/09/30/how-ostp-crowdsourced-a-crowdsourcing-toolkit/ To promote crowdsourcing, one effective tool is, well, crowdsourcing. Today, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the Federal Community of Practice for Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science (CCS) unveiled the Citizen Science and Crowdsourcing Toolkit. The toolkit contains information, resources, and best practices federal agencies can use to harness the power /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/09/29/trends-on-tuesday-how-much-does-it-cost-to-go-mobile/ Tue, 29 Sep 2015 01:00:08 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/09/29/trends-on-tuesday-how-much-does-it-cost-to-go-mobile/ A penny saved is a penny earned. But spending your pennies on mobile development is necessary to meet 21st century needs. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/09/25/negotiating-a-mobile-terms-of-service-agreement/ Fri, 25 Sep 2015 10:00:38 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/09/25/negotiating-a-mobile-terms-of-service-agreement/ In our personal lives, most of us barely pay attention to Terms of Service (TOS) agreements. But in our professional lives, as federal employees, mindlessly clicking through a TOS is not an option. The DigitalGov article Getting to Yes: Working with Vendors to Secure Terms of Service and Federal Friendly Pricing explored the legal dilemmas /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/09/04/faqs-done-right/ Fri, 04 Sep 2015 10:00:35 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/09/04/faqs-done-right/ In the circle of Web content life, FAQ sections are an endangered species. We’ve previously discussed the relevance of FAQs: Should FAQs go extinct, or are they a useful tool in your content ecosystem? Kathryn Catania, Chief of the Plain Language and Content Division at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, encourages agencies to take /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/08/26/digitalgov-summit-recap-the-need-for-change-agents-plus-the-internet-of-everything-from-a-to-z/ Wed, 26 Aug 2015 10:00:11 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/08/26/digitalgov-summit-recap-the-need-for-change-agents-plus-the-internet-of-everything-from-a-to-z/ The Internet of Things is already here. How will we prepare for the Internet of Everything? /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/08/07/an-innovation-framework-that-delivers-the-sunshot-catalyst-program/ Fri, 07 Aug 2015 10:00:00 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/08/07/an-innovation-framework-that-delivers-the-sunshot-catalyst-program/ Behind every great innovation is a team. And behind successful innovation teams are efficient tools, processes, and most importantly, people. The Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative funds projects that make solar energy more affordable and accessible for Americans. As part of the initiative, the SunShot Catalyst open innovation program seeks to rapidly deliver solar solutions /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/07/31/an-overview-of-digital-communities/ Fri, 31 Jul 2015 11:10:49 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/07/31/an-overview-of-digital-communities/ Digital communities of practice come in many stripes. DigitalGov communities span eight (and counting) focus areas and have thousands of members, but strong collaborations exist in all corners of government. In honor of this month’s communities theme, we are offering a list of communities that foster connections and strengthen the digital capabilities of federal agencies. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/07/30/picking-up-the-slack-for-team-communication/ Thu, 30 Jul 2015 01:01:50 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/07/30/picking-up-the-slack-for-team-communication/ You have a question about a project. You ping a coworker, who texts another colleague, who emails a listserv and receives 3 responses. And the problem is: where will your supervisor find the answer next month, when someone else asks the same question? Corralling /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/07/22/digitalgov-summit-recap-how-we-the-techies-can-effect-change/ Wed, 22 Jul 2015 11:00:27 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/07/22/digitalgov-summit-recap-how-we-the-techies-can-effect-change/ Who do you need to bring to the table to make a better world? In May, Megan Smith, Chief Technology Officer of the United States, delivered the keynote address at the 2015 DigitalGov Citizen Services Summit. She encouraged attendees to find ways of unlocking potential through collaborations from both within and outside of government. “We /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/07/17/digitalgov-podcast-leaders-come-and-go-but-your-customers-will-remain/ Fri, 17 Jul 2015 13:00:20 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/07/17/digitalgov-podcast-leaders-come-and-go-but-your-customers-will-remain/ To provide great customer service, bring your agency’s customers to the table. This is one of many insights recently offered by Stephanie Thum, Vice President of Customer Experience at the Export-Import Bank of the United States. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/07/07/wont-you-help-your-neighbor-communities-theme-month-on-digitalgov/ Tue, 07 Jul 2015 13:30:06 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/07/07/wont-you-help-your-neighbor-communities-theme-month-on-digitalgov/ It’s a beautiful day in the DigitalGov neighborhood, and we want you to be our neighbor: no red sweater required. The strength of digital government depends on robust collaboration across agencies, offices, and disciplines. The virtual federal neighborhood collaborates through numerous communities of practice, each of which promotes the open exchange of ideas and resources. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/07/02/celebrating-american-history-with-federal-apps/ Thu, 02 Jul 2015 13:00:51 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/07/02/celebrating-american-history-with-federal-apps/ Summer is here, which means it is time for the biggest holiday of the summer—Fourth of July! Independence Day is a happy time of year: BBQs, picnics, pools, sunshine and fireworks. Of course, the foundation of our celebration is American history, and there are plenty of excellent federal apps focused on this area. The American /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/06/30/celebrating-parks-creating-connections-nps-prepares-for-2016-centennial/ Tue, 30 Jun 2015 02:06:40 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/06/30/celebrating-parks-creating-connections-nps-prepares-for-2016-centennial/ Planning your next national park adventure (from the comfort of your couch) is easier than ever with a new website, Find Your Park.com. Launched on April 2nd, the mobile-friendly FindYourPark.com was designed and launched by the National Park Foundation (NPF), the /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/06/29/digitalgov-podcast-dap-delivers-data-for-4000-websites/ Mon, 29 Jun 2015 11:10:56 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/06/29/digitalgov-podcast-dap-delivers-data-for-4000-websites/ You cannot improve your digital outreach without data. Since 2012, the Digital Analytics Program (DAP) has provided agencies the critical information and metrics that they need to make their public-facing websites better. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/06/25/using-apps-for-mental-healthcare/ Thu, 25 Jun 2015 13:00:22 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/06/25/using-apps-for-mental-healthcare/ Technology has opened new pathways for delivering health care, including mental health services. The National Center for Telehealth and Technology (T2), part of the Department of Defense, offers multiple apps that address health care for service members in a variety of ways. At a talk with /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/06/16/trends-on-tuesday-native-app-lessons-from-the-crowdsource-mobile-testing-program/ Tue, 16 Jun 2015 10:00:55 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/06/16/trends-on-tuesday-native-app-lessons-from-the-crowdsource-mobile-testing-program/ The more you test, the more you know. We recently highlighted lessons learned from the CrowdSource Mobile Testing Program, discussed the mobile emulator dilemma that many agencies face, and today we’re back with a few insights on native app testing. The Federal CrowdSource Mobile Testing Program yields a rich set of participant feedback that helps individual app /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/06/09/the-emulator-dilemma-can-mobile-device-testing-be-completed-without-mobile-devices/ Tue, 09 Jun 2015 11:10:14 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/06/09/the-emulator-dilemma-can-mobile-device-testing-be-completed-without-mobile-devices/ Government agencies have created a variety of apps to meet the needs of the public. As you join in on the mobile-first trend and begin developing your shiny new mobile application, you will need to test it. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/06/05/monthly-theme-building-evaluating-and-improving-government-services-through-social-media/ Fri, 05 Jun 2015 14:56:52 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/06/05/monthly-theme-building-evaluating-and-improving-government-services-through-social-media/ While examples of government social media content may initially seem like mere fun, the potential of applied social data to build, evaluate and improve diverse citizen services is only increasing. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/05/21/digitalgov-citizen-services-summit-2015-open-innovation-and-collaboration/ Thu, 21 May 2015 15:27:26 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/05/21/digitalgov-citizen-services-summit-2015-open-innovation-and-collaboration/ At the 2015 DigitalGov Citizen Services Summit, U.S. Chief Technology Officer Megan Smith challenged all techies in government to help solve problems and be part of decision-making at the highest levels of government in her opening remarks. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/05/07/monthly-theme-customer-service-in-the-federal-digital-space/ Thu, 07 May 2015 14:42:42 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/05/07/monthly-theme-customer-service-in-the-federal-digital-space/ “The customer is king.” “The customer is always right.” Regardless of your feelings on these age-old customer service adages, the fact remains: we’re all serving someone. No matter what corner of the federal digital space you occupy, you are connecting with people, and the outcome of those connections matters. To recognize the importance of these /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/05/01/creating-a-veterans-centered-experience-through-exploreva/ Fri, 01 May 2015 10:00:29 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/05/01/creating-a-veterans-centered-experience-through-exploreva/ Good customer service includes user-centered design. For one digital team at the Department of Veterans Affairs, creating a veterans-centered experience started with one word: explore. The ExploreVA website provides a single location for veterans and their families to research the benefits that they may be entitled to receive. Benefits include health care, education, employment, and /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/04/28/trends-on-tuesday-federal-app-development-trends/ Tue, 28 Apr 2015 10:00:27 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/04/28/trends-on-tuesday-federal-app-development-trends/ Mobile apps meet real world needs. App development is not a homogenous process, however. Apple and Android devices are overwhelmingly dominant in device ownership and app development. So, we examined the Federal Mobile Apps Directory for iOS and Android offerings. We noticed a predominance /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/04/27/are-faqs-still-relevant/ Mon, 27 Apr 2015 13:10:19 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/04/27/are-faqs-still-relevant/ Users have questions. Your content and website navigation can help them find answers, or potentially cause frustration. One tool for answering questions is up for debate: are FAQ sections still relevant in 2015, or are they a relic of bygone days? Nielsen Norman Group recently published two articles arguing for the continued use and usefulness /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/04/24/meeting-customer-needs-through-social-media/ Fri, 24 Apr 2015 12:03:35 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/04/24/meeting-customer-needs-through-social-media/ Social media tools can amplify your agency’s message, but they are also a meeting space for two-way conversations. They can be a key tool to resolve user issues and deliver excellent customer service. This is true for agencies in every corner of the government space. In honor of our monthly contact center theme, we reached /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/04/21/trends-on-tuesday-the-total-market-approach/ Tue, 21 Apr 2015 10:00:13 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/04/21/trends-on-tuesday-the-total-market-approach/ Your audience is not homogenous. No matter the agency, target audiences are not only diverse, they are diverse on a multitude of factors. Recently, evolving trends in multicultural marketing have gained attention as organizations adjust their marketing and outreach strategies to meet 21st century realities. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/04/14/live-blogging-the-analytics-dashboard-on-tax-day/ Tue, 14 Apr 2015 15:00:08 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/04/14/live-blogging-the-analytics-dashboard-on-tax-day/ 2 a.m. EDT, April 16 Looks like the traffic peak for #TaxDay was around 3:00 pm when 194,301 people were on government sites. We’re now less than one-quarter of that traffic, and the more regular patterns of top sites are reasserting themselves. We’re talking about YOU, NASA astronomy picture of the day and that wonderful /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/04/09/multiple-languages-single-platforms-the-world-digital-library/ Thu, 09 Apr 2015 02:29:14 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/04/09/multiple-languages-single-platforms-the-world-digital-library/ Multilingual does not always mean multiple accounts or websites. Increasingly, multilingual content is delivered in an integrated way, with two (or more!) languages delivered on the same website, app, or social media platform. The World Digital Library (WDL) is one example of how multiple languages can be incorporated on single platforms. The WDL is a /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/04/08/monthly-theme-how-federal-contact-centers-deliver-great-customer-service/ Wed, 08 Apr 2015 09:35:49 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/04/08/monthly-theme-how-federal-contact-centers-deliver-great-customer-service/ At the end of last year, DigitalGov posted an article predicting that 2016 would be the year of the customer. Stephanie Thum, Vice President of Customer Experience at Export-Import Bank, looked at the great strides made in federal customer service in 2014 and called it the year of “planting seeds.” She then pointed to 2015 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/04/03/sharing-social-media-strategies-the-national-strategy-for-trusted-identities-in-cyberspace-program-office/ Fri, 03 Apr 2015 10:00:10 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/04/03/sharing-social-media-strategies-the-national-strategy-for-trusted-identities-in-cyberspace-program-office/ Creating a tweet, posting a photo, or updating a status may take mere seconds. However, a well-thought-out social media strategy is needed for long-term success. In fact, the recently released U.S. Public Participation Playbook mentions strategy in its very first play: clearly define and communicate your objectives. Knowing what you hope to accomplish and how /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/03/27/empowerment-innovation-and-improved-health-outcomes-the-blue-button-initiative/ Fri, 27 Mar 2015 10:00:40 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/03/27/empowerment-innovation-and-improved-health-outcomes-the-blue-button-initiative/ Finding and getting access to our own health information can be a complex process. And most of us don’t really think about having our health information readily accessible until we really need it – like in the event of an emergency, or when switching doctors or traveling. Combing through stacks of paperwork and contacting providers /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/03/10/digitalgov-monthly-theme-how-data-and-code-improve-government-services/ Tue, 10 Mar 2015 11:43:05 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/03/10/digitalgov-monthly-theme-how-data-and-code-improve-government-services/ Data and code are the foundation, building blocks, and cornerstone of government digital services. They are the keys that open the door to a better digital government future and are fundamental in making government more open. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/03/10/busting-myths-and-building-partnerships-national-drug-facts-week/ Tue, 10 Mar 2015 11:10:21 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/03/10/busting-myths-and-building-partnerships-national-drug-facts-week/ Myth-busting isn’t just for television. And through a multi-faceted, tech-savvy campaign based on strategic partnerships, one federal office has found a winning strategy for combating misinformation. National Drug Facts Week (NDFW) is a health awareness week for teenagers, with the goal of debunking /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/resources/plain-language-web-writing-tips/ Fri, 06 Mar 2015 02:58:29 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/resources/plain-language-web-writing-tips/ Help your readers complete their tasks with these Plain Language writing tips. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/03/02/persona-development-case-study-nci-and-spanish-language-outreach/ Mon, 02 Mar 2015 10:00:16 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/03/02/persona-development-case-study-nci-and-spanish-language-outreach/ Government websites need to address the needs of diverse audiences. Although translations are a first step towards engaging non-English speaking audiences, the intended audience may be alienated if information is not presented in a culturally relevant way. The /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/02/25/avoid-weak-links-in-your-digital-chain/ Wed, 25 Feb 2015 11:10:25 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/02/25/avoid-weak-links-in-your-digital-chain/ Users don’t like surprises. Unexpected or unwanted content undermines the credibility of your agency and frustrates users who come to your website looking for specific information. Using links appropriately in your website content is one way to build trust with users, according to an article by Kara Pernice of the Nielsen Norman Group. Here’s a /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/02/23/hear-my-tweet-national-museum-of-american-historys-hearhistory-tweetup/ Mon, 23 Feb 2015 10:00:52 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/02/23/hear-my-tweet-national-museum-of-american-historys-hearhistory-tweetup/ DC was the Silicon Valley of the 1880’s. And Alexander Graham Bell? He was more than just a telephone man. His Volta Laboratory was the premier 19th century innovation center. The work of Bell and his contemporaries is the /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/02/18/8-new-federal-friendly-apps-and-services/ Wed, 18 Feb 2015 01:10:43 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/02/18/8-new-federal-friendly-apps-and-services/ Tackling technology tasks just got easier. Recently, federal agencies negotiated eight new Terms of Service (TOS) Agreements for free apps and services. DigitalGov has an extensive list of federal-friendly TOS agreements for free products, and the list is updated as new TOS agreements are created. Cyfe Cyfe, a business dashboard app, helps users monitor diverse data /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/02/12/building-brick-by-brick-ed-govs-website-redesign-and-mobile-implementation/ Thu, 12 Feb 2015 10:00:39 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/02/12/building-brick-by-brick-ed-govs-website-redesign-and-mobile-implementation/ Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither are website redesigns. In line with the piecemeal responsive Web design implementation trend we recently highlighted, the new Ed.gov website redesign happened in three phases. In this case, budget limitations and existing content management systems (CMSs) influenced the decision-making /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/02/04/saving-energy-one-green-button-at-a-time/ Wed, 04 Feb 2015 10:00:18 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/02/04/saving-energy-one-green-button-at-a-time/ Conserving energy is not a shot in the dark. Millions of people can now shine a light on their electricity usage as a result of a dynamic public-private partnership based on open data. The goal of the Green Button Initiative is to provide electricity customers with access to their energy usage data in an easy-to-understand /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/01/29/nasa-reaches-new-frontiers-in-3d-printing/ Thu, 29 Jan 2015 11:10:55 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/01/29/nasa-reaches-new-frontiers-in-3d-printing/ 3D printing has gone out of this world. Earlier this month, DigitalGov covered the NIH 3D Print Exchange, where 3D printing is supporting scientific learning and research. Today, we’re highlighting a project that is reaching brand new heights: NASA’s In-space Manufacturing Initiative. Self-Sufficiency in Space NASA is currently conducting 3D printing experiments aboard the International /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/01/27/trends-on-tuesday-mobile-marketing-on-the-rise/ Tue, 27 Jan 2015 11:10:43 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/01/27/trends-on-tuesday-mobile-marketing-on-the-rise/ Marketers are increasingly using SMS, push notifications, mobile apps, location-based functionality and other mobile-first techniques to reach constituents. That’s according to a recent article from Marketingland.com, which provided an overview of the mobile trends presented in Salesforce’s 2015 State of Marketing Report. The report was based on a survey of 5,000 marketers in 10 countries. Some /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/01/15/spanish-language-mobile-apps-from-gobierno-usa-gov/ Thu, 15 Jan 2015 11:10:45 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/01/15/spanish-language-mobile-apps-from-gobierno-usa-gov/ In mobile app development, if you aren’t making it multilingual, you miss providing anytime, anywhere information and services to important mobile-only audiences. Today, we’re highlighting five Spanish language apps from the Spanish Version of the USA.gov Federal Mobile Apps Directory. /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/01/15/the-future-will-be-printed-in-3d/ Thu, 15 Jan 2015 10:00:42 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/01/15/the-future-will-be-printed-in-3d/ The use of 3D printing is growing. From kayaks to pancakes to human and canine prosthetics, a diverse array of 3D printed products have been delivered. 3D printing has also been named one of the top technology /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/01/05/great-customer-service-in-140-characters-askfafsa-twitter-chats/ Mon, 05 Jan 2015 10:00:25 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2015/01/05/great-customer-service-in-140-characters-askfafsa-twitter-chats/ As agencies strive for success in digital government, they often need to open their virtual doors and meet the public in new and evolving spaces. Federal Student Aid meets its audience in the 21st century public square at monthly #AskFAFSA sessions. During the live /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2014/12/30/opening-government-through-federal-crowdsourcing/ Tue, 30 Dec 2014 10:00:45 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2014/12/30/opening-government-through-federal-crowdsourcing/ Crowdsourcing is a critical corner of the digital government landscape, and our December theme articles have covered the topic from a variety of angles. Before we head into January, where we will discuss upcoming trends on the digital horizon, we sat down to learn more about the evolution and future direction of federal crowdsourcing initiatives /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2014/12/19/reaching-out-to-deliver-within-crowdsourcing-internal-agency-projects/ Fri, 19 Dec 2014 01:53:33 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2014/12/19/reaching-out-to-deliver-within-crowdsourcing-internal-agency-projects/ Crowdsourcing has created new paths for public interaction with the government, as we’ve been highlighting on DigitalGov with this month’s theme. However, crowdsourcing can also be used to harness support for internal agency projects. The Department of State is using crowdsourcing to find talent within and outside of government to support agency activities. Through the /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2014/12/17/with-every-tool-possible-supporting-humanitarian-aid-efforts-through-crowdsourced-mapping/ Wed, 17 Dec 2014 12:00:15 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2014/12/17/with-every-tool-possible-supporting-humanitarian-aid-efforts-through-crowdsourced-mapping/ Fighting malaria in Botswana with a group of high school students in D.C. Contributing to the Ebola response from the West Bank. These scenarios may not fit the typical image of humanitarian aid efforts, but technology has transformed the possibilities for public participation in international development. Crowdsourced mapping projects have /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2014/12/12/going-behind-the-blog-with-the-law-library-of-congress/ Fri, 12 Dec 2014 11:35:14 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2014/12/12/going-behind-the-blog-with-the-law-library-of-congress/ Creative content can be found in all corners of the federal space. Recently, the Law Library of Congress blog, In Custodia Legis, and the United States Courts blog, The Third Branch News, were named to the ABA Journal “Blawg 100” out of 4,000 legal blogs eligible for selection. We wanted insight on their blogging success, so we spoke /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2014/12/08/from-taste-testers-to-explorers-developing-personas-for-open-opportunities/ Mon, 08 Dec 2014 09:00:00 -0500 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2014/12/08/from-taste-testers-to-explorers-developing-personas-for-open-opportunities/ Being customer-focused means doing the gumshoe work of research and rounds of analysis to find gold by understanding user goals. For the task-based innovation network, Open Opportunities for DigitalGov, that meant developing personas in order to overcome our own biases and learn about the different motivations of our participants. In this article, we’ll talk about /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2014/12/05/promoting-womens-health-through-dynamic-multilingual-content/ Fri, 05 Dec 2014 10:00:45 -0400 /preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/2014/12/05/promoting-womens-health-through-dynamic-multilingual-content/ Sonia stands at the pharmacy counter, flashing her most brilliant smile. Jorge, the handsome neighborhood pharmacist, dispenses his own easy smile as they chat. Sound like an ordinary soap opera? This telenovela is actually a tool to help Spanish-speaking women make smart medication decisions. The four