News The US Digital Service, aka DOGE

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the role of the U.S. Digital Service (USDS) in accessing information and records to inform cuts in government-sponsored programs. The USDS, established in 2014, aims to enhance government services through technology and design by collaborating with various federal agencies. Its mission includes improving critical services, bringing technical talent to public service, and adopting user-centered design principles. The USDS was created in response to challenges like the HealthCare.gov launch, highlighting the need for efficient access to government services. The conversation emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making in government operations and the USDS's commitment to user needs and effective service delivery.
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I was wondering how a seemingly ad hoc department can get information and records that can be used to make cuts in various government-sponsored programs. The personnel of the USDA do have legitimate access to this information.

I found the following article that answered this:
https://www.wired.com/story/doge-en...c=MARTECH_ORDERFORM&utm_term=WIR_Daily_Active )

Below is the original USDS website ( https://www.usds.gov/mission ) minus the graphics from which you can see what the USDS was supposed to do.


Our mission

To deliver better government services to the American people through technology and design.


Who we are

We are mission-driven professionals who are passionate about applying our work and lived experiences to public service. We come from a range of backgrounds, just like the people we serve. We are curious about understanding the needs of people and are excited to use our short tours of service to make a positive impact.


What we do

We collaborate with public servants throughout the government to address some of the most critical needs and ultimately deliver a better government experience to people. We work across multiple agencies and bring best practices from our various disciplines, which include engineering, product, design, procurement, data science, operations, talent, and communications.


Our objectives

Continuously improve critical government services
Bring top-tier technical talent to public service
Partner with federal agencies to scale digital best practices
Rethink how the Government buys digital services
Find out how we meet our goals


Who we help

Our products engage real users before launch. We apply user-centered design and iterative development to prioritize user needs and learn what works as quickly as possibe.


Our values

Hire and empower great people. Humans push our mission forward. Empathy and tenacity are just as important as being a great technologist.


Find the truth. Tell the truth. We expect everyone to be humble, but question what’s presented to them, and have the confidence to find a new path forward.


Optimize for results, not optics. We work for the people — not attention, status, or headlines. Our projects may be hard, but we know they’re worth doing.


Go where the work is. Meeting with civil servants where they are means we can partner to create lasting change. Modernizing government is up to all of us, together.


Create momentum. People urgently need better digital services from their government. By building velocity, we can deliver more value, faster.


Design with users, not for them. The best products aren’t created in a vacuum. Using empathy and curiosity, we can effectively address our users’ needs.


The USDS origin story

The idea of a team like USDS had been percolating since 2012, and people across federal agencies had been exploring new modes of hiring and working since 2008. The HealthCare.gov launch crisis created an opportunity for a scrappy idea to become a reality. The challenges behind the launch made clear that accessing government services should be as easy as ordering a book online.


Founded by President Obama in August of 2014, the U.S. Digital Service brought together the best engineering, design, and government talent to change our government’s approach to technology. We planned to hire ten people for three critical national priorities: modernizing immigration, Veterans’ benefits, and HealthCare.gov. During the 2015 State of the Union address, we launched an online application to join the team. We worried if ten people would even apply. 1000 did.

We quickly went to work with a simple strategy:Recruit top designers, engineers, product managers, and digital policy experts. Pair these digital experts with our nation’s leading civil servants. Deploy these teams to address some of the most critical government services, together.

We’re proud of everything we’ve worked for since. The team we’ve assembled has relocated to Washington, D.C., from more than 20 states and territories and counting. They’re enthusiastic about emoji, laptop stickers, and scanning the Federal Register. Does this sound like you? Apply now.
 
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