Power to the Public

1. Public interest technology combines design, data, and delivery to solve societal problems

We define public interest technology as the application of design, data, and delivery to advance the public interest and promote the public good in the digital age.

Design: Public interest technology starts with understanding the needs of the people being served. This involves conducting user research, creating user-friendly interfaces, and designing processes that work for both citizens and government employees.

Data: Real-time data collection and analysis are used to identify problems, measure progress, and make informed decisions. This approach allows for continuous improvement and evidence-based policymaking.

Delivery: Rather than launching large-scale projects all at once, public interest technology emphasizes iterative development and small-scale pilots. This allows for testing, learning, and refining solutions before widespread implementation.

2. User-centered design is crucial for effective public policy and services

At best it is really good educated guessing. All the wonderful, well-meaning people, including me [in my former positions] are kind of flying blind.

Understanding user needs: Public interest technologists spend time with the people they aim to serve, conducting interviews, observing behaviors, and gathering insights. This helps identify pain points and opportunities for improvement that may not be apparent from a policy perspective alone.

Empathy-building: By involving policymakers and government officials in user research, public interest technology creates empathy and understanding for the challenges faced by citizens. This can lead to more effective and compassionate policies and services.

Iterative design: Solutions are developed through multiple rounds of testing and refinement, incorporating feedback from users at each stage. This ensures that the final product or service truly meets the needs of the people it's intended to serve.

3. Real-time data analysis enables rapid problem-solving and continuous improvement

When I came to government I saw the federal CIO's offices have these IT project dashboards for high risk-projects, and they're all green, all the time.

Data-driven decision making: Public interest technology emphasizes the use of real-time data to guide problem-solving efforts. This allows for quick identification of issues and rapid response to changing conditions.

Transparency and accountability: By making data publicly available and easily understandable, governments can increase transparency and build trust with citizens. This also allows for external stakeholders to contribute insights and solutions.

Continuous improvement: Regular analysis of data enables ongoing refinement of policies and services. This creates a culture of learning and adaptation within government agencies, leading to more effective outcomes over time.

4. Iterative delivery and small-scale pilots lead to better outcomes than large-scale launches

Release minimum viable products early, test them with actual users, move from alpha to beta to live adding features, deleting things that don't work and making refinements based on feedback. Iteration reduces risk. It makes big failures unlikely and turns small failures into lessons.

Start small: Begin with a minimal viable product or service that addresses a core need. This allows for quick testing and validation of assumptions.

Learn and adapt: Gather feedback from users and stakeholders throughout the development process. Use this information to make improvements and refine the solution.

Scale gradually: As the solution proves effective, gradually expand its scope and reach. This approach reduces risk and allows for course corrections along the way.

5. Technology alone cannot solve complex social issues; human-centered approaches are essential

Tech is not a unilateral solution. Tech is not the point. The point is to actually improve outcomes.

Focus on outcomes: Public interest technology prioritizes improving people's lives over implementing flashy technological solutions. The goal is to solve real problems, not just to use the latest tech.

Combine tech with human insight: While technology can be a powerful tool, it must be combined with human judgment, empathy, and understanding of complex social contexts.

Address root causes: Rather than applying technological band-aids, public interest technology seeks to understand and address the underlying causes of societal issues.

6. Diverse perspectives and inclusive teams are vital for addressing community needs

Diversity isn't just getting a young African American man from Iowa. If you're the city government in New York City, diversity is getting someone who grew up in the projects to be a part of it. That's a level of diversity that we almost never hit.

Representation matters: Teams should reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. This includes racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and experiential diversity.

Inclusive design: By involving people from diverse backgrounds in the design process, solutions are more likely to address the needs of all community members, not just the majority or most privileged.

Challenging assumptions: Diverse teams are better equipped to identify and question implicit biases and assumptions that may be built into existing systems and policies.

7. Public interest technology requires support from leadership and ground-level staff

If you want to get big things done in the public sector, you need serious, sustained executive leadership. The mandate for change comes from the top.

Leadership buy-in: High-level support is crucial for providing resources, removing obstacles, and championing new approaches within organizations.

Ground-level engagement: Frontline staff must be involved in the design and implementation of new solutions. Their expertise and buy-in are essential for successful adoption.

Cultural change: Implementing public interest technology often requires shifts in organizational culture, emphasizing collaboration, experimentation, and user-centered thinking.

8. Storytelling and investment in people are key to growing the field of public interest technology

We need to reward, recruit, and lift up the leaders—in government, the private sector, and nonprofits—who are experimenting with new ways of working and getting results.

Share success stories: Highlight examples of public interest technology making a real difference in people's lives. This helps build support and attract talent to the field.

Invest in training: Develop programs to teach public interest technology skills to both new and existing government employees.

Create career paths: Establish clear career trajectories for public interest technologists within government and nonprofit organizations.

9. The public sector must modernize hiring practices to attract top talent

If you want to make government better you need to improve your hiring and your people management processes.

Competitive salaries: While public sector work may not match private sector pay, efforts should be made to offer competitive compensation packages.

Streamlined hiring: Reduce bureaucratic hurdles and long wait times in the government hiring process to attract top talent.

Emphasize impact: Highlight the meaningful work and potential for large-scale impact that public sector roles offer.

10. Public interest technology can transform government services and rebuild trust

People see the government as working for someone else—companies, banks, wealthy people. In response to the coronavirus, the federal government failed to protect people and left much of the population to fend for themselves.

Improve service delivery: By making government services more efficient, user-friendly, and effective, public interest technology can demonstrate the value of government in people's lives.

Increase transparency: Data-driven approaches and open communication can help rebuild trust between citizens and government institutions.

Address systemic issues: Public interest technology can help identify and address longstanding inequities and inefficiencies in government systems, leading to more just and effective governance.

Last updated: October 6, 2024