This document summarizes a keynote presentation about usability and user experience in government systems. It discusses how all residents, visitors, government workers, and users of government services are stakeholders in government systems. It describes the different needs and goals of public-facing systems, which provide information and services to the public, and internal systems, which support government operations. Both public and internal systems face shared usability issues around content strategy, plain language, accessibility, mobile access, and data security. Working on government projects presents challenges but also rewards due to the variety of stakeholders and systems involved and potential for improving government effectiveness.
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We are all stakeholders: A keynote address at UCD 2013
1. We Are All
Stakeholders
Usability & User Experience
in Government Systems
UCD13 â Keynote 3
Elizabeth Buie
Northumbria University
Newcastle upon Tyne
@ebuie
#ucd2013 #uxgov
2. When you think of government
systems â
What comes to mind?
@ebuie
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20. What about these people?
People in other places
affected by our systems
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21. In short, the whole world
@ebuie
seven-plus billion people!
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22. Letâs look at the direct users.
Who are they?
What is their use like?
What kinds of usability and UX
do they need?
@ebuie
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23. Two kinds of users,
two sources of needs
ï¶ Public
ï¶ Public servants
Customer
Career
Choice
Captive
Clear-cut
Complex
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24. Goals of public-facing systems (1)
ï¶
Provide information and services,
effectively and efficiently
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25. Goals of public-facing systems (2)
ï¶
Conduct transactions with the public
Optional â e.g., Top up Oystercard
@ebuie
Required â e.g., Pay Taxes
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26. Goals of public-facing systems (3)
ï¶
Increase citizen use
of online systems
ï¶
Entice them away
from more expensive
channels (phone,
face to face, paper)
@ebuie
#ucd2013
27. Goals of public-facing systems (4)
ï¶
Encourage citizen participation in
governance
Government 2.0
â[Make] government more transparent, by
publishing data and insights into government
operations, and participatory, by inviting citizens
to offer solutions to major challenges.â
â Kate Walser, chapter 3,
âUsability and Government 2.0â
@ebuie
#ucd2013
44. Public/internal shared issues
2. Plain language â Clear communication
your writing â and
â improveâ so your users can your agencyâs
writing
ï¶
ï¶
ï¶
find what they need,
understand what they find, and
use what they find to meet their needs.
â
â plainlanguage.gov
This includes legalese
@ebuie
#ucd2013
45. Public/internal shared issues
2. Plain language â Helps everyone
From a study of before-and-after task
performance of low-literate and highliterate web users, by K. Summers and
M. Summers (see slide notes for citation)
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49. Public/internal shared issues
6. Data security: Tradeoff between
usability and security
But is it really a
tradeoff of user
experience?
What if you feel
better because you
trust that your data
are secure?
@ebuie
#ucd2013
62. In the usability of government systems
@ebuie
@ebuie
We are all stakeholders
#ucd2013
#ucd2013
63. Govt. projects offer rewards, too
ï¶
Potential to help
make government
itself more effective
and efficient
@ebuie
#ucd2013
64. Why do government work
â
Iâve found public-sector work to be infinitely more
meaningful than private-sector work. âŠ
Individually, we tend not to act in a way thatâs
attuned to our collective needs. ⊠Government
provides a solution to the tragedy of the commons.
â
â Jess McMullin, Citizen Experience Design
author of Chapter 22, Design for Policymaking
@ebuie
#ucd2013
Sit back and think for a moment about your last experience with a government system.
Probably the first thing that most of us think of are public websites. Most of us are familiar with the new gov.uk design. Have you used it yourself?
What about subordinate sites? Have you used the web to get a road tax disc for your car?
To access secure services such as HMRC via the Government Gateway?
To book an NHS appointment?
To visit the United States?
I worked on government systems for 35 years, and this is the sexiest project I had in all that time.(Photo credit: NASA - http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap080219.html )
Letâs look at the stakeholders in this issue. Who are they?
Can you think of anyone whoâs NOT a stakeholder of government systems?Most of us think first of members of the public who use government websites and other electronic systems.The live presentation shows these photos in sequence. To see them individually, follow the links in the photo credits.Photo credits:http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2012/11/02/designing-for-different-devices/ - VAT for consumers (Crown Copyright)http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Life-Long-Learning/17551 Scottish literacy (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/driving-standards-agency (Crown Copyright)https://www.barnsley.gov.uk/services/leisure-and-culture/libraries/teenagers-and-young-adults-services (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/learner-drivers-warned-about-extra-charges - booking a driving test (2 photos) (Crown Copyright)tbd https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-the-parliamentary-counsel (Crown Copyright)http://www.scotlandspeoplehub.gov.uk/scotlands-people-centre/open-day.html (Crown Copyright)http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/computer_boys_tcm4-582142.jpg (Crown Copyright) http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/03/11110615/7 - Scottish career info (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/changes-to-the-uk-immigration-rules-to-benefit-global-businesses-and-international-students (Crown Copyright)
A large number of stakeholders work inside the government. Some of them use the systems directly; others use their output.The live presentation shows these photos in sequence. To see them individually, follow the links in the photo credits.Photo Creditshttp://www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/INFD-7YKJP5 (Crown Copyright)http://www.mhra.gov.uk/Safetyinformation/Howwemonitorthesafetyofproducts/Medicines/TheYellowCardScheme/Informationforhealthcareprofessionals/Howtoreport/index.htm (Crown Copyright)https://www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/upcoming-jobs.aspx - MI5 jobs (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/defence-infrastructure-organisation-service-family-accommodation - MOD member of staff for housing (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/raf-reservist-helps-keep-news-coming-from-operations-over-libya - man sitting on floor (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/damian-green-digital-courtrooms-to-be-rolled-out-nationally digital courtroom (Crown Copyright)http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/media/image/c/7/computer_engineer-600x400.jpg (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/army-conducts-largest-ever-virtual-battlefield-simulation-experiment (Crown Copyright)http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/training/industry/aviation/general/decision-making (Crown Copyright)http://digital.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/2011/11/10/pm-tech-city-app/ - Tech City mobile app (Crown Copyright)http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/news-and-diary/working-day-the-life-of-flight-lieutenant-wales (Crown Copyright)
And then, of course, there are people who benefit from services that government systems support.The live presentation shows these photos in sequence. To see them individually, follow the links in the photo credits.Photo credits:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-publishes-care-bill home care worker & patient (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-technology-to-improve-children-s-mental-health-services--2 - Children's mental health service on tablet (Crown Copyright)http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/453998 - policewomen, Creative Commons, photo by Paul Andersonhttp://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3313157 - Active Traffic Management on M6, Creative Commons, photo by David Dixonhttp://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2404328 - Bakerloo line, Creative Commons, photo by Roger Cornfoothttp://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3177475 - Plane near air traffic control tower, Creative Commons, photo by Richard Humphreyhttp://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_186825.jpg (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/world/uruguay (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nick-boles-attends-launch-of-national-business-competition (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-deal-will-help-older-people-live-at-home-for-longer (Crown Copyright)http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2640904 - Busker on Westminster Bridge, Creative Commons,photo by Mick Lobbhttps://www.gov.uk/government/news/fishing-scheme-is-stress-buster-for-troops-back-from-operations (Crown Copyright) http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/services/public/about (Crown Copyright)
When we think of where the stakeholders are, what first comes to mind?
When we think of government, we probably tend to think first of the capital city.http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/images/eol/2003/london.html London at night from space (NASA photo)
But shouldnât we include the people in the rest of the country?Photo adapted from http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=78674 (NASA photo)
And how about the EU? Thereâs a lot of going back and forth between the member nations.Photo adapted from http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/NIGHTLIGHTS.html (NASA photo)
But wait. Governments have many programs overseas as well, most of which are supported by ICT.The live presentation shows these photos in sequence. To see them individually, follow the links in the photo credits.Photo creditshttps://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/first-mobile-visa-service-held-in-vientiane-today (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-life-of-an-army-doctor-on-the-front-line â health workshop in Afghanistan (Crown Copyright) https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-life-of-an-army-doctor-on-the-front-line clinic, checking baby in Helmand (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/raf-reservist-helps-keep-news-coming-from-operations-over-libya RAF news person with natives (Crown Copyright)http://blogs.dfid.gov.uk/2013/06/i-see-change-coming-in-pakistan/ (Crown Copyright)http://blogs.dfid.gov.uk/2013/04/whats-the-problem-with-sharing-knowledge/kenya-health-workers-2008-dfid/ DFID bloggers (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/one-million-jobs-supported-by-britains-development-finance-firm Worker in hard hat (Crown Copyright)
When we think about it, everyone in the world is a stakeholder in the usability of government systems.And of course the tax payers have a stake in the efficiency of the work that government employees do. Image adapted from http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/image/earth_night.jpg (NASA photo)
The public are external users. Ctizens, non-citizen residents, immigrants, visitors.Public servants are internal users, often considered part of the system. government employees or contractors (or in some cases volunteers), civilian or military.The public are often seen as customers of government systems. Public servants use these systems as career folks, and are often expected to put up with whatever.The public often have a choice â for now, at least â of whether to do their business on line or by other means. Public servants are a captive audience.The tasks of the public tend to be relatively simple and straightforward. Public servantsâ tasks are, on the whole, much more complex, especially when we get into air traffic control and military operations. Photo credit: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/modelling-systems (Crown Copyright)
Letâs look at the major goals of government systems. Letâs start with public-facing ones. Photo credits:http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/services/smarter-weather (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/learner-drivers-warned-about-extra-charges - booking a driving test (2 photos) (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mobile-apps (Crown Copyright)
Some transactions are optional and some are required. Required transactions donât necessarily have to be done on line â YET â but they do have to be done.Image credits:http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14825.aspx (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hmrc-offers-new-set-of-online-tax-guidance (Crown Copyright)
Here are some important goals of internal systems. Image credits:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/About/Performance/scotPerforms/indicators/pubSectorEfficiency (Crown Copyright)http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/11/10140644/6 (Crown Copyright)
Privacy doesnât apply to employees. The government can (and often does) monitor everything that a user of an internal system does while using that system. Maintain security and safety at local, regional and national levels.Photo creditshttps://www.gov.uk/security-services-group (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/changes-made-to-police-custody-rules (Crown Copyright)http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/publicsector/hazardmanager (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/royal-air-force-celebrates-top-apprentices (Crown Copyright)
Defence (this is a flight simulator)Photo credit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/minister-visits-futuristic-jet-pilot-training-facility (Crown Copyright)
Emergency response often requires the cooperation of different governmental organizations, which often have incompatible computerized systems.Photo credit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/military-help-emergency-services-deal-with-the-snow (Crown Copyright)
Legislative drafting systems tend to be firmly entrenched, and even ideas that would improve their usability meet with strong resistance from the users.Image from Chapter 9 of âUsability in Government Systemsâ, copyright 2012 Morgan Kaufmann Press. Used by permission.
Internal social media applicationsImage: Screenshot from US Dept. of Transportationâs IdeaHub
From chapter by Ginny Redish and Susan Kleimann in the book. Emphasis added.
Plain language improves communication for users with low literacy, and it improves it for everyone else too.Data source: http://eprints.rclis.org/7038/1/Summers_Reading.pdf (p. 10)Citation: Summers, K., & Summers, M. (2005). Reading and navigational strategies of Web users with lower literacy skills. Proceedings of the American Society for Information Science and Technology, 42(1).Note that the figures given in the Summers & Summers report include an incorrect calculation of improvement in time on task. Reduction is always calculated based on the original number, and a reduction in a time value can never be greater than 100%, or the users would have finished the tasks before they started. The figures in this presentation use the correct formula. Profuse apologies for the accessibility problems caused by my using images rather than PowerPoint tables to produce these figures.
The live presentation shows these photos in sequence. To see them individually, follow the links in the photo credits.Photo credits:http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/Life-Long-Learning/17551 Scottish literacy (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/world/uruguay (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nick-boles-attends-launch-of-national-business-competition (Crown Copyright)http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2640904 - Busker on Westminster Bridge, photo by Mick Lobb (Creative Commons)http://www.scotlandspeoplehub.gov.uk/scotlands-people-centre/open-day.html (Crown Copyright)http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/computer_boys_tcm4-582142.jpg (Crown Copyright) http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/Images/computer_boys_tcm4-582142.jpg (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/world-location-news/changes-to-the-uk-immigration-rules-to-benefit-global-businesses-and-international-students (Crown Copyright)
You probably know about screen readers already. Accessibility uses other technologies as well. This picture shows a Braille display.Photo credit: Freedom Scientific: http://www.freedomscientific.com/about/media-center/media-product-images.asp â Used by permission.
Photo credits:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/learner-drivers-warned-about-extra-charges - booking a driving test (2 photos) (Crown Copyright)http://www.forestry.gov.uk/mobileapp (Crown Copyright)http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/services/media/mobilevideo (Crown Copyright)https://www.gov.uk/government/news/mental-health-app-now-available-on-android Mobile mental health app (Crown Copyright)http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/01/19120621 (Crown Copyright) http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/datapoint/showcase/scope-nights (Crown Copyright)
Remember those seven billion stakeholders?Doing government UX work can provide the opportunity to help improve the lives of a very large number of those people.Image credit: NASA
Thanks to all of the attendees. Thanks also to conference sponsors Accenture and Futureheads, and to the publisher of the book, Morgan Kaufmann Press.