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    "title" : "An introduction to digital governance |Digital.gov",
    "description": "An introduction to digital governance",
    "home_page_url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/","feed_url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/resources/an-introduction-to-digital-governance/index.json","item" : [
    {"title" :"An introduction to digital governance","deck" : "Understand how and why to implement digital governance","summary" : "Learn why governance is essential to digital experience.","date" : "2023-10-16T17:05:00-05:00","date_modified" : "2025-01-27T19:42:55-05:00","topics" : {
        
            "digital-service-delivery" : "Digital service delivery",
            "digital-service-delivery" : "Digital service delivery",
            "governance" : "Governance"
            },"branch" : "bc-archive-content-3",
      "filename" :"an-introduction-to-digital-governance.md",
      
      "filepath" :"resources/an-introduction-to-digital-governance.md",
      "filepathURL" :"https://github.com/GSA/digitalgov.gov/blob/bc-archive-content-3/content/resources/an-introduction-to-digital-governance.md",
      "editpathURL" :"https://github.com/GSA/digitalgov.gov/edit/bc-archive-content-3/content/resources/an-introduction-to-digital-governance.md","slug" : "an-introduction-to-digital-governance","url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/resources/an-introduction-to-digital-governance/","weight" : "6","content" :"\u003ch2 id=\"what-is-digital-governance\"\u003eWhat is digital governance?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGovernance can be defined as \u003cem\u003ethe act or process of governing or overseeing the control and direction of something (such as a country or an organization)\u003c/em\u003e \u003csup\u003e\u003ca aria-describedby=\"footnote-label\" href=\"#fn1\" id=\"footnotes-ref1\"\u003e[1]\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/sup\u003e. For federal agencies, digital governance refers to the internal systems and processes we use to manage our digital presence, including:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEstablishing clear operating rules\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDefining responsibilities and lines of authority\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreating mechanisms to ensure those rules and authorities are followed\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"why-is-digital-governance-important\"\u003eWhy is digital governance important?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJust as a magazine has an editor-in-chief, someone must be in charge of the public’s experience on a federal government website. Digital governance clarifies who’s responsible for the management and operation of your agency’s websites and digital services. It includes content, design, technical infrastructure, security, funding, and product, project, and program management. A strong governance structure improves \u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/resources/an-introduction-to-trust/\"\u003epublic trust\u003c/a\u003e through better organizational performance, and better customer outcomes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"how-to-implement-digital-governance\"\u003eHow to implement digital governance\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery federal agency should have an enterprise-wide governance structure that provides both high-level strategic direction and oversight, as well as day-to-day management and coordination of digital initiatives.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are several things to consider when setting up your structure. The enterprise-wide governance body should be empowered and members should have:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA leadership role in your existing agency digital governance structure\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe ability to coordinate across agency business lines\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRegular interactions with agency executives responsible for web and digital service delivery\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExperience designing and delivering key agency websites and digital services, including the flagship \u003ccode\u003eagency.gov\u003c/code\u003e site\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExperience interpreting and implementing web and digital policy\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExperience working with governmentwide \u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/communities/\"\u003ecommunities of practice\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, each agency must have a digital experience delivery lead as required by \u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/resources/21st-century-integrated-digital-experience-act/#what-are-the-agency-reporting-requirements\"\u003eAgency action #1: Identify digital experience delivery lead\u003c/a\u003e in OMB M-23-22, Delivering a Digital-First Public Experience. Work with your agency’s digital experience delivery lead to align agency efforts with the governmentwide strategy and goals.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003carticle class=\"dg-ring\" aria-labelledby=\"4d407963eca5b87b638d5411262eaf45\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2 id=\"4d407963eca5b87b638d5411262eaf45\" class=\"dg-ring__title\"\u003eCase study\u003c/h2\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eAt the General Services Administration (GSA), we operate a Digital Experience Executive Board, supported by an agency-wide Digital Council. The Board is composed of senior executives who provide high-level direction, and Council members coordinate implementation of digital initiatives within their business line. We also have an Enterprise Digital Experience team to coordinate enterprise improvements to our agency’s digital experience. \u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/2023/02/23/digital-governance-at-gsa/\"\u003eRead more about digital governance at GSA\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe also \u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/2023/03/24/who-is-your-website-manager/\"\u003edefined the work of a website manager\u003c/a\u003e and identified one website manager for each digital property at GSA. Then, we updated their position descriptions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote that digital governance may look different at your agency, depending on how digital teams and functions are organized.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003c/article\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnother key component of governance is to ensure that employees who manage digital properties have appropriate language in their position descriptions describing these duties. Accurate position descriptions enable employees to get credit in their performance plans for this important and complex work. Senior leaders should also have appropriate language in their performance plans related to digital service delivery, to ensure accountability and oversight.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition to a website manager, \u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/2020/05/27/whos-on-your-digital-dream-team/\"\u003eWho’s on your digital dream team?\u003c/a\u003e explains the various roles your agency should include on your web team(s).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"governance-resources\"\u003eGovernance resources\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://18f.gsa.gov/2020/09/09/a-federal-guide-to-de-risk-government-technology-projects/\"\u003e18F: Digital service delivery | A federal guide to de-risk government technology projects\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://18f.gsa.gov/2021/07/27/content_governance_what_it_is_and_how_to_get_started/\"\u003e18F: Digital service delivery | Content governance: What it is and how to get started\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://blog-nrrd.doi.gov/metrics/\"\u003eMeasuring and Justifying the Government Experience | Open data, design, \u0026amp; development at the Department of the Interior\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/2022/08/01/webinar-recap-how-to-build-your-digital-dream-team/\"\u003eWebinar Recap: How to Build Your Digital Dream Team\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/2022/10/14/sunrise-to-sunset-building-a-customer-centric-digital-ecosystem/\"\u003eSunrise to Sunset: Building a Customer-centric Digital Ecosystem\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/2022/10/07/taking-a-design-led-approach-to-digital-modernization/\"\u003eTaking a Design-led Approach to Digital Modernization\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\n\n\u003carticle\n  class=\"dg-note \"\n\u003e\n  \u003ch4 class=\"dg-note__heading\"\u003e\n    \u003csvg\n      class=\"dg-note__icon usa-icon dg-icon dg-icon--large\"\n      aria-hidden=\"true\"\n      focusable=\"false\"\n    \u003e\n      \u003cuse xlink:href=\"/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/uswds/img/sprite.svg#notifications\"\u003e\u003c/use\u003e\n    \u003c/svg\u003e\n    \n      Note\n    \n  \u003c/h4\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeb Managers Community\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Web Managers Community of Practice is a group of government employees and contractors who manage government websites and digital services. They work to create a trusted, seamless online experience for all. \u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/communities/web-content-managers/\"\u003eJoin the Web Managers Community\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003c/article\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"dg-footnote\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"dg-footnote__heading\" id=\"footnote-label\"\u003eFootnotes\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003col class=\"dg-footnote__list\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"dg-footnote__list-item\" id=\"fn1\"\u003eMerriam-Webster. 2018. “Definition of GOVERNANCE.” Merriam-Webster.com. 2018. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/governance. \u003ca href=\"#footnotes-ref1\" aria-label=\"Back to content\"\u003e↩\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n"}
  ]
}