Announcing the Platform Smells Playbook: Diagnose and fix common problems with your technology platformAt Ad Hoc, we believe that shared technology platforms are often a critical part of government digital modernization efforts.By: Mark Headd, Carter BaxterJune 13, 2023Topics: Platforms, Engineering, Ideas, Product, Research, DevopsRead more of Announcing the Platform Smells Playbook: Diagnose and fix common problems with your technology platform
Introducing the Research Thinking Field GuideFundamentally, research is about helping people make better decisions, and it should be an integral part of how any team develops products and services.By: Alex MackMay 8, 2023Topics: Ideas, ResearchRead more of Introducing the Research Thinking Field Guide
Running usability sessions with assistive technology users: a guide for beginnersEven with accessibility specialists at our side, there are additional ways accessibility newcomers can and should prepare to run research with assistive technology users.By: Christina Gednalske, Angela FowlerNovember 2, 2022Topics: Accessibility, ResearchRead more of Running usability sessions with assistive technology users: a guide for beginners
Building a trauma-informed research practiceThrough our trauma-informed research practice, we're working to help agencies better understand trauma. From there, we can help them improve how they meet individuals' needs by offering assistance without triggering existing wounds or creating new ones.By: Josh Kim, Cindy Merrill, Dave SukharanSeptember 6, 2022Topics: Research, User ExperienceRead more of Building a trauma-informed research practice
Developers are humans too: Why API documentation needs HCDHuman-centered design can be hugely beneficial to API documentation and the developers who reference it. Here are some ways to ensure the technical content is clear and concise.By: Darcy Duda, Elissa FrankleAugust 2, 2022Topics: Design, User Experience, ResearchRead more of Developers are humans too: Why API documentation needs HCD
Bringing service design to the VA digital services platformTo meet the needs of internal customers, Ad Hoc’s platform service design team takes a service design approach to continuously gather feedback and use that information to improve user interactions and experiences with the VSP program.By: Rebekah HickeyMarch 16, 2022Topics: Design, ResearchRead more of Bringing service design to the VA digital services platform
Research as Diplomacy: The marriage of research and productReframing the research step and using it to bring stakeholders’ concerns to the forefront instead of pushing past them can turn research skeptics into research advocates. We call this approach Research as Diplomacy.By: Delgado Vidart, Kelly LeinNovember 10, 2021Topics: Product, ResearchRead more of Research as Diplomacy: The marriage of research and product
What research can do: A maturity model for government agenciesMaturing a process is not easy, even if there is interest. It’s incumbent on human-centered design practitioners to recognize where an agency is with their practice, so they can identify how to help them grow.By: Alex Mack, Lauryl ZenobiMarch 10, 2021Topics: ResearchRead more of What research can do: A maturity model for government agencies
Lorem nope-sum: The benefits of using realistic content in UX researchPlaceholder content can trip up users and give you poorer results. When testing new designs with users, realistic content is key to convey the purpose and use of your designsBy: Libby Kaufer, Darcy Duda, Gretchen MaciolekFebruary 23, 2021Topics: User Experience, ResearchRead more of Lorem nope-sum: The benefits of using realistic content in UX research
Finding your place on Ad Hoc's research teamAd Hoc researchers come from a wide variety of backgrounds from archaeology to anthropology to museums to education. The team is proudly a place where we accept and encourage the diversity of people and their experiences.By: Laura EllenaSeptember 23, 2020Topics: Life at Ad Hoc, ResearchRead more of Finding your place on Ad Hoc's research team