VeteranS-Facing Services Platform
Department of Veterans Affairs
Challenge
Currently, VFSP (Veterans-Facing Services Platform) product teams often lack the necessary visibility into the effectiveness of their QA processes, potentially leading to the release of subpar products on VA.gov without sufficient insight from platform reviewers.
The desired outcome is for VFS teams to use the dashboard data to refine and enhance their QA practices, ultimately resulting in higher quality products with fewer defects and negative feedback. However, there is a risk that teams might avoid these tools and processes due to evaluation concerns or neglect the dashboard after initial use. To mitigate this risk, it is critical to ensure access to relevant data and to encourage continuous engagement with the tools. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, we can ensure that the dashboards remain an integral part of the QA process.
Role
The Platform Collaboration Cycle project supports the development and maintenance of webpages and applications published on VA.gov. Our Governance team offers comprehensive guidance in Design, Content, Information Architecture, QA, and Accessibility. Our team of analysts, content writers, and accessibility specialists, each with two - three years of experience in Section 508 compliance testing, conducting thorough assessments, and audits, and compliance monitoring following WCAG standards.
Our focus on accessibility ensures all published content adheres to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, with reviews meticulously conducted by the VA Section 508 Office to validate compliance with federal laws governing accessible information and communication technology.
Through the Platform Collaboration Cycle project, we have streamlined the development process, ensuring that each phase of the project aligns with the best practices and standards in the industry. This involves close collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure that the final product meets and exceeds expectations.
Impact
In addition to our work on the Platform Collaboration Cycle, our Test Engineers and Data Analysts have developed robust Quality Assurance dashboards. These dashboards are designed to help stakeholders gain a clearer understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of their QA practices for their products.
Our approach has resulted in several successful deployments of user-friendly and accessible web pages and applications that serve the needs of Veterans effectively. By integrating accessibility into every stage of the project, we ensure that no aspect is overlooked, leading to a more inclusive digital environment for all users.