A compliance hub

that helps federal teams connect with the American public.

In order to build a digital government that truly serves the everyone, federal digital teams need to conduct user research with the people who use its products and services. Unfortunately, an outdated law known as PRA (Paperwork Reduction Act), often poses a barrier. Getting legal clearance through the PRA process can be confusing, preventing teams from conducting critical user research.

I led the 0→1 design of a web-based compliance hub that helps federal product teams get PRA clearance to conduct user research. The hub saves 20+ product teams an estimated 100+ hours per project, increasing both organizational efficiency and team capacity to connect with the American public in order to build a more effective and equitable digital government.

Federal teams waste hundreds of hours trying to get legal clearance instead of doing user research.

How might we make navigating the PRA process easier and more efficient?

Designs

Incorporating U.S. Web Design System components

Researchers perceive PRA as something that is risky to get wrong and want to ensure that the information they are following is trustworthy. I used common U.S. Web Design System components to achieve the dependable look and feel of a modern government website and streamline development.

Different entry points to meet researchers where they’re at

Many researchers shared that they didn't know where to get started with PRA. The homepage not only gives them a place to start but also meets them where they’re at in terms of their current phase of the research process and their desired action.

Interactive tools to build confidence

My research indicated that on of the most confusing parts of the PRA process is determining if clearance is needed at all. I designed interactive questionnaires so researchers can determine whether they need clearance or not by answering a series of questions about their research plans.

Guided form builder to ease process logistics

Researchers who do need PRA clearance for their research found filling out a poorly designed PDF form to be cumbersome and confusing. I designed an automated form builder that sets expectations with a progress indicator and provides helper text along the way.