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    "title" : "Checklist of requirements for federal websites and digital services |Digital.gov",
    "description": "Checklist of requirements for federal websites and digital services",
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    {"title" :"Checklist of requirements for federal websites and digital services","deck" : "A self-assessment tool to review and evaluate product maturity","summary" : "Links to relevant laws, policies, and regulations for federal agencies.","date" : "2014-01-09T01:20:11-04:00","date_modified" : "2025-01-27T19:42:55-05:00","authors" : {"rflagg" : "Rachel Flagg","ammie-farraj-feijoo" : "Ammie Farraj Feijoo"},"topics" : {
        
            "governance" : "Governance",
            "product-and-project-management" : "Product and project management",
            "public-policy" : "Public policy"
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  "A clipboard with a checklist of nine topics; accessibility, analytics, content, design and user experience, governance, privacy, search, security, trust. Each has a blue check mark. The blue background has document file and folder icons.", "width" :
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      "filename" :"checklist-of-requirements-for-federal-digital-services.md",
      
      "filepath" :"resources/checklist-of-requirements-for-federal-digital-services.md",
      "filepathURL" :"https://github.com/GSA/digitalgov.gov/blob/bc-archive-content-3/content/resources/checklist-of-requirements-for-federal-digital-services.md",
      "editpathURL" :"https://github.com/GSA/digitalgov.gov/edit/bc-archive-content-3/content/resources/checklist-of-requirements-for-federal-digital-services.md","slug" : "checklist-of-requirements-for-federal-digital-services","url" : "/preview/gsa/digitalgov.gov/bc-archive-content-3/resources/checklist-of-requirements-for-federal-digital-services/","aliases" : {"0" : "/2022/01/13/go-live-checklist-for-federal-websites/","1" : "/resources/dot-gov-domain-freeze-and-waivers/","2" : "/resources/checklist/","3" : "/resources/policies-for-federal-agency-public-websites-m-05-04/"},"weight" : "2","content" :"\u003cp\u003eIn the federal government, standing up a new website involves all of the standard things, like selecting a content management system, designing easy-to-use templates, and creating great content that meets user needs. But it also involves ensuring that your site and content serve the public in alignment with relevant policy requirements.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"making-sense-of-policy-requirements\"\u003eMaking sense of policy requirements\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou’re probably thinking, “How complicated could it be?”\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou may be surprised. Over 100 laws, regulations, and policies impact federal websites, covering topics such as accessibility, privacy, security, design, and user experience.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFortunately, GSA has developed a self-assessment checklist to help you navigate the complexities of federal web policy, so that you can confidently understand and meet the requirements for federal websites and digital services. Review the checklist for a detailed look at what it takes to manage a government website.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\u003carticle class=\"dg-ring\" aria-labelledby=\"c546829f1c7e90b8c1243dedd8f36a49\"\u003e\n  \u003ch2 id=\"c546829f1c7e90b8c1243dedd8f36a49\" class=\"dg-ring__title\"\u003eDownloadable template\u003c/h2\u003e\n  \u003ca href=\"https://s3.amazonaws.com/digitalgov/static/self-assessment-checklist-for-federal-websites-april-2024.xlsx\"\u003eDownload the self-assessment checklist for federal websites (Excel spreadsheet, 55KB, 11 tabs)\u003c/a\u003e\n\u003c/article\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"whats-in-the-checklist\"\u003eWhat’s in the checklist?\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe checklist is organized into 11 broad categories, listed below, that cover the breadth of federal web policy requirements. It explains what you need to do to meet each requirement.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/topics/accessibility/\"\u003eAccessibility\u003c/a\u003e - Websites and digital services are accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/topics/analytics/\"\u003eAnalytics\u003c/a\u003e - Data-informed analysis influences management and development decisions\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/topics/content-strategy/\"\u003eContent\u003c/a\u003e - Content teams are empowered to edit content so it meets user needs and works well on the web\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/topics/customer-experience/\"\u003eCustomer experience\u003c/a\u003e - Teams understand the impact of a person’s experiences on their perception of the organization\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/topics/design/\"\u003eDesign\u003c/a\u003e - Websites and digital services are modern, consistent in appearance, designed around user needs, and fully functional on common mobile devices\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/topics/governance/\"\u003eGovernance\u003c/a\u003e - Management processes are in place that empower web teams to improve digital experience\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/topics/privacy/\"\u003ePrivacy\u003c/a\u003e - User information is protected\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/topics/search/\"\u003eSearch\u003c/a\u003e - Websites contain a search function to allow users to easily search content; content is optimized for search\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/topics/security/\"\u003eSecurity\u003c/a\u003e - Content is provided through an industry standard secure connection; site meets all current security requirements\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/topics/software-engineering/\"\u003eSoftware engineering\u003c/a\u003e - Websites and digital services are secure, device-agnostic, user-friendly\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://digital.gov/topics/trust/\"\u003eTrust\u003c/a\u003e - Content is current, authoritative, unique (no duplication), and clearly identifies as an official government site\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"how-to-use-the-self-assessment-checklist\"\u003eHow to use the self-assessment checklist\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ccode\u003eOverview\u003c/code\u003e tab presents a dashboard, which automatically updates as you work through the rest of the tool.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe remaining tabs list requirements and guidance for each policy area. Use the drop-down in the far right \u003ccode\u003eStatus\u003c/code\u003e column to indicate how much  your site is meeting the requirements (done, partial, not done) for each policy area.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe data from the \u003ccode\u003eStatus\u003c/code\u003e column will automatically populate the \u003ccode\u003eOverview\u003c/code\u003e tab as you work to provide an at-a-glance status for each policy area. The intent is to help you understand where the site is doing well, and where it could be improved.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShare the spreadsheet with your team so everyone can see the dashboard and the policy areas.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"explore-federal-web-policies\"\u003eExplore federal web policies\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePolicy plays a vital role in how federal agencies serve the public. With over 100 requirements for federal websites and digital services, web and digital practitioners in government need a deep and broad understanding of these policies.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are a few examples of policy areas you need to navigate:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"box \"\u003e\n  \u003ch3 id=\"digital-service-delivery\"\u003eDigital service delivery\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (21st Century IDEA) and M-23-22\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca class=\"usa-button usa-button--outline\" href=\"https://digital.gov/resources/delivering-digital-first-public-experience/\"\u003eExplore digital service delivery policy\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"box \"\u003e\n  \u003ch3 id=\"domain-management\"\u003eDomain management\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDOTGOV Online Trust in Government Act and OMB Memo M-23-10\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca class=\"usa-button usa-button--outline\" href=\"https://digital.gov/resources/requirements-for-the-registration-and-use-of-gov-domains-in-the-federal-government/\"\u003eExplore domain management policy\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"box \"\u003e\n  \u003ch3 id=\"multilingual\"\u003eMultilingual\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExecutive Order 13166, Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca class=\"usa-button usa-button--outline\" href=\"https://digital.gov/resources/requirements-for-improving-access-to-services-for-people-with-limited-english-proficiency-lep/\"\u003eExplore multilingual policy\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"box \"\u003e\n  \u003ch3 id=\"product-and-project-management\"\u003eProduct and project management\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProgram Management Improvement Accountability Act and OMB Memo M-18-19\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca class=\"usa-button usa-button--outline\" href=\"https://digital.gov/resources/requirements-for-improving-the-management-of-federal-programs-and-projects/\"\u003eExplore product and project management policy\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"conclusion\"\u003eConclusion\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eManaging a federal website is a complex endeavor, requiring broad knowledge of both web management best practices and federal law and policy. We offer this checklist as a practical tool to help you assess your progress, and identify opportunities to improve customer experience and streamline the federal digital footprint.\u003c/p\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\u003eDigital.gov provides information and resources for federal agencies related to web and digital policies. However, we cannot interpret the statutes or specific requirements.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContact OMB’s Office of the Federal CIO at \u003ca href=\"mailto:ofcio@omb.eop.gov\"\u003eofcio@omb.eop.gov\u003c/a\u003e with any questions about interpretations of these policies.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003c/article\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/procurement/memo/strategic-plan-508-compliance.pdf\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n"}
  ]
}