Intended Audience: Federal/National Government: Agency
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Digitizing Policy + Rules as Code 
Implementing rules without a rules engine
It is frequently assumed that when rules are implemented as code, a rules engine is necessary. However, it is possible for policy people and engineers to effectively work together to code logic that drives technological system without needing a mediating rules engine at all.
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Human-Centered Design 
Mapping the Applicant Experience of Benefit Enrollment
Applicants to federal aid programs face numerous barriers in accessing benefits they are eligible for. The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare conducted an extensive qualitative user research study to better understand applicant experience in enrolling in public assistance programs. Based on the results, the study emphasizes the need for simplified, streamlined and less burdensome application processes.
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Digitizing Policy + Rules as Code 
Rapid Implementation of Policy as Code
Policy changes are often dynamic and occur quickly, but they can only create impact once implemented. The Eligibility APIs Initiative at 18F shares an example from their work that shows the potential for rapid, accurate policy implementation as code.
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Procurement 
Prerequisites for modular contracting
18F describes modular contracting, the process of breaking up large, custom software procurements into a small constellation of smaller contracts. Modular procurement requires agile, product thinking, user-centered design, DevSecOps, and loosely-coupled architecture.
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Diversity, Equity + Inclusion 
Near Real Time COVID-19 Income and Poverty Dashboard
A real-time dashboard displaying COVID-19 income and poverty levels.
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Access for All: Innovation for Equitable SNAP Delivery
This brief describes the current state of SNAP benefit delivery through the electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card, identifies the features necessary for SNAP benefit delivery to ensure consistency with principles of equity and inclusion, and explores how future SNAP benefit delivery can keep up with rapid changes in commercial payment infrastructure.
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Digitizing Policy + Rules as Code 
Eligibility Rules Weekly Recaps
Github page with weekly recaps on the activities taking place during 18F’s Eligibility Rules Service project.
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Human-Centered Design 
18F Methods: Journey Mapping
18F describes journey mapping: a visualization of the major interactions shaping a user’s experience of a product or service. This allows design teams to view a service through the perspective of the user and incorporate their learnings throughout the development process.
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Human-Centered Design 
Executive Order on Transforming Federal Customer Experience and Service Delivery to Rebuild Trust in Government
Executive order by President Biden mandating that governments deliver services more equitably and effectively through simple, accessible, and transparent design.
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Procurement 
Federal Field Guide
Few large government software projects are successful, as current ecosystems in place at agencies do not support agile development practices. This guide provides instructions to federal agencies on how to effectively budget for, procure, and oversee software development projects.
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Procurement 
An Agile Software Development Solicitation Guide
Government solicitations to procure custom software are often long, complicated, and take months. By using 18F’s agile contract format, agencies can hire an agile software contractor with a quickly-written dozen-page solicitation, allowing for immense savings in time and money.
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Digitizing Policy + Rules as Code 
18F Eligibility APIs Initiative
Github page with 18F’s project documentation and task management efforts.