> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://usdr.gitbook.io/digital-service-toolkit/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://usdr.gitbook.io/digital-service-toolkit/welcome/about-the-digital-service-toolkit.md).

# About the Digital Service Toolkit

This toolkit provides practical guidance to help governments plan, launch, and grow effective digital service teams

## Why we built this Toolkit

<figure><img src="https://2300667447-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvrFiXac7VON42MNzAMFq%2Fuploads%2F9nDSf0bh0RlbbLOxhKmU%2Fwe%20built%20this%20toolkit%20to%20help%202.png?alt=media&amp;token=afaa7a5b-8249-4fc3-8040-12f7b8b3d0bd" alt="Infographic explaining the purpose of the Digital Services Toolkit. At the top, a government building and web interface icon accompanies the message: &#x22;Governments are doing important work with limited time, resources, and capacity.&#x22; Below, a section titled &#x22;We built this toolkit to help.&#x22; explains that the toolkit provides practical, real-world guidance for building the teams, capabilities, and foundations needed to deliver modern digital public services. Three illustrated focus areas are presented in columns: Build Digital Service Teams, Hire Effectively, and Strengthen Capabilities, each with a simple blue icon and a brief description. The graphic uses a clean, minimalist layout with blue accents, generous white space, and subtle dividers to emphasize clarity and readability."><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Governments are often expected to improve digital services without a dedicated team or a clear starting point. For example, a city updating its website or establishing responsible AI practices may need to determine which roles and skills are needed, who should lead the work, how departments will collaborate, and what can realistically be accomplished with available resources. This toolkit provides leaders driving this work with practical guidance for structuring, staffing, launching, and growing a team to meet those needs.

{% hint style="info" icon="hand-heart" %}
U.S. Digital Response offers pro bono support to help governments build digital service teams and capabilities, so [contact USDR for support](/digital-service-toolkit/welcome/contact-usdr-for-support.md) anytime to discuss how we can help.
{% endhint %}

### Who it’s for

Anyone responsible for improving or delivering digital services, including:

* Government leaders
* IT, product, and operations teams
* Program and service owners
* HR, talent, and workforce leaders

## How to use the Toolkit

Use the toolkit based on where you are today, focus on what’s realistic, and build your digital service capabilities over time.

<figure><img src="https://2300667447-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvrFiXac7VON42MNzAMFq%2Fuploads%2FeE2xs0CdRq87v2RryrLX%2Fyour%20path%20through%20the%20digital%20service%20toolkit.png?alt=media&amp;token=733c7793-a74c-4821-83a4-2e5836ce4050" alt="Infographic titled “Your Path Through the Digital Service Toolkit,” showing a flexible three-phase journey: Learn and Explore digital service teams, models, roles, funding, success factors, and maturity; Assess and Align by examining organizational context, documenting the current state, learning from history, assessing risk, and engaging stakeholders; and Decide, Launch, and Evolve by defining the team’s purpose, model, placement, capabilities, resources, governance, and launch plan. A note emphasizes that users can move through the Toolkit at their own pace and revisit sections as their needs and capacity grow."><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Toolkit sections

The toolkit is organized into **5 main sections** plus a resource section that provide a step-by-step approach to planning, launching, and growing effective digital services.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### [Digital Service Models](/digital-service-toolkit/digital-service-teams/digital-service-team-overview.md)

Explore what digital service teams do, compare how they can be structured, and identify the roles and approach that best fit your government’s needs.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### [Digital Maturity Stages](/digital-service-toolkit/digital-maturity-stages/digital-maturity-overview.md)

Identify your organization’s current stage of digital maturity and determine which capabilities and improvements to prioritize next.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### [Assess Your Readinesss](/digital-service-toolkit/assess-your-readiness/assessment-overview.md)

Examine your directive, organizational structure, existing people and systems, and history with change to identify gaps, constraints, and opportunities.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### [Align Your Stakeholders](/digital-service-toolkit/align-your-stakeholders/alignment-overview.md)

Bring key stakeholders together to review findings, agree on priorities, clarify ownership, and define next steps.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### [Launch Your Digital Team](/digital-service-toolkit/launch-your-digital-team/checklist-for-launch.md)

Define an initial problem and scope, assemble the team, establish ownership and measures of success, and build support for sustaining the work.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### [Resources](/digital-service-toolkit/resources/helpful-resources-and-articles.md)

Access downloadable checklists, workshop materials, templates, examples, and guides to support planning and implementation.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### How to Navigate

<table><thead><tr><th width="157.6953125">Item</th><th>Details</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Navigation</strong></td><td>Use the sidebar on the left of each page to access different sections of the toolkit.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Overviews</strong></td><td>Each section has an overview page that includes a definition of the topic, who's generally involved in that work, and what's covered in the section.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Search</strong></td><td>Utilize the search bar to quickly find specific information or keywords.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Interactive Elements</strong></td><td>Look for links and embedded tools to access additional content and to download copies of resources.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Helpful Tips</strong></td><td><p><img src="https://2300667447-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvrFiXac7VON42MNzAMFq%2Fuploads%2F1RNGehE4Pr7RhTurVHx1%2FIMG_0398.jpeg?alt=media&amp;token=34469d4e-d336-4569-a071-70c026d5d423" alt="" data-size="line"></p><p>Look for this icon throughout the Toolkit for helpful insights and tips<br></p></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Light/Dark Mode</strong></td><td><p><img src="https://2300667447-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FvrFiXac7VON42MNzAMFq%2Fuploads%2FT4VD1AClN9SPGIkFA1Nh%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=e0fe67f9-53eb-4b16-99e4-06b672c2150b" alt="" data-size="original"></p><p>Use this toggle at the bottom of each page to switch between modes.</p></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Feedback</strong></td><td>Use the <code>Was this helpful?</code> feature on the bottom of each page to leave us feedback.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Contact</strong></td><td>If you have questions or need further assistance, navigate to the <a href="/digital-service-toolkit/welcome/contact-usdr-for-support.md">Contact</a> section for ways to reach out.</td></tr></tbody></table>

#### Content development <a href="#content-development" id="content-development"></a>

This field guide was born from a combination of [US Digital Response's](https://www.usdigitalresponse.org/program-areas/talent) experiences supporting digital transformation teams across U.S. federal, state, and city governments and generally recognized best practices for creating optimal employee experiences for digital talent. Content was developed in collaboration with [Verge Talent Partners](https://www.vergetalentpartners.com/), who have deep experience in hiring, recruiting, human resources, operations, and strategy.