The Launch of SB UX
A new program inviting residents to co-design new local solutions and tools with city government
The City of South Bend has launched a new user testing cohort program, SB UX.
The Department of Innovation & Technology’s mantra is Listen First, Build With. In other words, we aim, across our diverse technology services, to co-design with our end users and partners. They are the experts in their processes and personal experiences. The more we know about them, the better we are at our jobs.
The City of South Bend is committed to applying innovation and human-centered design practices to improve services. The SB UX program takes this approach to the next level. Now when we build tools and processes, we do so with input from residents.
— Mayor James Mueller
It’s worth noting the wonderful models in other cities that this program has borrowed pieces from. We celebrate these pioneering models for their commitment to civic engagement and design for inclusive technology. First, there is the original CUTgroup in Chicago — first developed by the Smart Chicago Collaborative and now run out of the City Tech Collaborative. There is also other models across the country including GRIT in Toronto, DIG in New York, and the Data User Groups in Pittsburgh.
What will SB UX look like?
When the City builds or launches new resident-facing technology or tool, it will go through an SB UX process.
- Residents sign up to join an SB UX cohort HERE. As of the time of this blog post in early 2020, the City is recruiting residents to help us (1) Redesign our police transparency portal (2) Test and improve the upcoming 311 service portal (3) Design and test and new landlord registration tool and process and (4) Provide feedback on a Public Park Health Dashboard.
- Residents will then receive updates, prototypes, surveys, and/or invitations to events via email throughout the duration of that particular project. There will be multiple opportunities during a project lifecycle to engage in person or remotely — whatever works for you.
- At the end of a project, we’ll reconnect with the SB UX cohort, sharing the tool and letting them know how their input shaped the final product.
FAQS
Do I need to have a background in technology to join a cohort to provide feedback/input to the City?
No! You do not need technical expertise/skills to help make technology in our City better. In fact, we aim to create things that are usable to residents of all skill levels.
I’m interested in joining a cohort, but I don’t know if I can commit to participating a lot. Should I sign up anyway?
Yes! By signing up to be in a cohort you only are committing to receiving information, invitations to events, and optional surveys. It’s up to you how + how deeply you want to engage.
What other communications or emails will I receive if I sign up for a cohort?
If you sign up for a cohort you will only receive email communications about that particular project and no other projects or City updates.
Why is this program called “SB UX”? What does that mean?
UX is a common abbreviation for User Experience which is the experience that a person using a website, product, or application. We want our users to have a smooth, positive experience when they interact with the City of South Bend’s technology and we believe the best way to do this is by testing and getting feedback on applications before they launch and throughout their lifecycle.
Lots of programs at the City start with the signature “SB”, including SB Stat (our performance management program) and SB Academy (our technology and data training program at the City).
