The Discovery Phase

The Government Digital Service (GDS) Discovery phase is a critical step in the development of digital services for the UK government. It is the first stage in the GDS Service Design Manual and is designed to help government departments and agencies understand the user needs and requirements for a digital service.

In this blog, we'll discuss what the GDS Discovery phase is, why it's important, and how it works.

What is the GDS Discovery phase?

The GDS Discovery phase is a research phase where the government agency or department works to understand the problem they are trying to solve and the user needs they are trying to address. The goal of the Discovery phase is to review the As-Is, identify the user needs, understand the context of the problem, and explore potential solutions. This information is then used to develop a plan for the next stage of development.

Why is the GDS Discovery phase important?

The Discovery phase is important because it helps ensure that digital services are developed with user needs in mind. It provides an opportunity for the government to identify and understand the user needs, rather than just developing a solution based on assumptions. This helps ensure that the service is effective, efficient, and meets the needs of its users.

Additionally, the Discovery phase can help identify potential problems early on in the development process, by identifying issues in the Discovery phase, they can be addressed before resources are spent on developing a solution that may not meet user needs.

How does the GDS Discovery phase work?

The Discovery phase typically begins with a scoping exercise. This involves identifying the scope of the problem, the stakeholders involved, and the potential users of the service. The scoping exercise helps to define the scope of the Discovery phase and establish goals and objectives.

Next, the Discovery phase team will conduct user research to understand the needs and context of the problem. This may involve surveys, interviews, or other research methods to gather information directly from users.

The team will also conduct a stakeholder analysis to identify any internal or external stakeholders who may be affected by the service. This helps ensure that the service is designed with all stakeholders in mind.

Having completed two such discoveries in recent months, and currently on my third, it is clear the discovery phase is required and it is critical to communicate and speak with your users and stakeholders throughout the process.

Finally, the Discovery phase team will use the information gathered during the user research and stakeholder analysis to develop a plan for the next stage of development. This plan will outline the proposed solution, including potential features and functionality, and provide a roadmap for the next phase of development.

Conclusion!

The GDS Discovery phase is a critical step in the development of digital services for the UK government. It provides an opportunity to identify user needs, understand the context of the problem, and explore potential solutions. By taking a user-centered approach, the government can ensure that services are developed with user needs in mind, and that they are designed and built to meet the needs of all stakeholders.