Digital.gov Guide
Building by the rules: A crash course for federal technologists
Conclusion
Reading time: 2 minutes
Overall, building products and services in government requires understanding how public policy impacts government technology design and implementation. This guide serves as an introductory crash course into how you can engage your teammates in understanding how policy may interact with your team’s design, engineering, product, and security considerations.
| Framing question | Key federal statute | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Information collection: Are we minimizing public burden? | Paperwork Reduction Act | Governs how agencies collect information from the public in ways that reduce burden. |
| Accessibility: Are our products accessible to all? | Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act | Requires agencies to ensure that people with disabilities have equal access to government information. |
| Privacy: Are we protecting user data? | Privacy Act | Requires agencies to give public notice about recordkeeping systems, establishes best practices for managing data, and much more. |
| Security: Are we ensuring security? | Federal Information Security and Management Act (FISMA) | Requires agencies to create cybersecurity plans, conduct regular risk assessments, implement cybersecurity controls, and monitor their systems for vulnerabilities. |
Policy advice for technologists
- Befriend the policy people: For major statutes and regulations, subject matter policy experts ensure agency offices and groups remain in compliance. We encourage you to get to know those individuals within your organization.
- Read the policy yourself: There may be flexibilities in certain laws. In some cases, what people think of as policy could be “the way we’ve always done it.” By reading the policy yourself, you unlock new questions and gain insights on how policies impact your implementation efforts.
- Pick your battles: Know whether you’re dealing with a law (very hard to change) or a priority (potential room for interpretation).
- Know your boundaries: As technologists, recognize when best to divert questions to your policy colleagues and subject matter experts.
As public servants, we understand that the government serves the public. In turn, public policy should serve the public interest. This framing provides an opportunity for federal technologists to center the public’s voice when creating and improving federal websites and digital services.
We hope this guide provides you the confidence to ask questions and engage in policy conversations with your colleagues and stakeholders.
