This field guide is for digital services and technology leaders working at the federal, state, or local government level. It describes a way of applying research approaches to strategic decision making across digital services.
Hear perspectives on topics including centering beneficiaries and workers in new ways, digital service delivery, digital identity, and automation.This video was recorded at the Digital Benefits Conference (BenCon) on June 14, 2023.
Minnesota is a good example of an organization that started small in its drive to integrate benefits programs. For instance, its recent statewide rollout of its online integrated benefit application website, MNbenefits.mn.gov, started as a pilot in 2020 with Code for America. The pilot encompassed two counties including Hennepin County, where Minneapolis is located. The pilot later expanded to four counties, then 16 and a tribal nation. The final roll out, which took 12 months to implement, included the state’s 87 counties and three tribal nations.
This paper outlines the need for comprehensive reforms to improve the U.S. government's capacity to effectively implement policies, focusing on reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies, enhancing workforce structures, and leveraging digital infrastructure.
This resource introduces the "Layer Cake" approach, a framework for driving behavior change in government systems and public services by addressing all layers of service delivery, from frontline staff to policymakers, with an emphasis on human-centered design and civic participation.
