Content created by Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA)
Policies and standards help web managers meet federal requirements and follow best practices to make websites more citizen–centered.
Checklist of Requirements for Federal Websites and Digital Services:, links to an external website is a tool to access recent U.S. Government guidance and requirements in the development of websites and digital products.
Research-based Web Design and Usability Guidelines, opens in a new tab (21.9 MB) provides an overview of the user-centered design process and various UX disciplines. It also covers the related information on methodology and tools for making digital content more usable and useful.
The U.S. Web Design System, links to an external website offers open-source, quick-to-download code and assets, to make it easy to produce the highest-quality government websites for the public. The site has guidance on the latest federal policy for websites and digital services.
Digital.gov provides a list of Required Web Content and Links, links to an external website that all federal websites need to have.
Section 508, links to an external website is a government requirement to make IT accessible to persons with disabilities. This site provides guidance related to program management, procurement, tools and training, and policy compliance.
Federal Resources
Policies, memos, circulars and executive orders, links to an external website released by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and other policies that are related to digital media and innovation. See the OMB Policies for Federal Public Websites, links to an external website, opens in a new tab.
Style guides, links to an external website are used to set the tone and guidelines for how the agency communicates with the public.
Project Open Data, links to an external website is an online collection of code, best practices, and case studies developed to help agencies adopt the framework presented in the OMB memorandum M-13-13 “Open Data Policy-Managing Information as an Asset, links to an external website.”
U.S. Digital Service, links to an external website (USDS) is a group of technologists from diverse backgrounds working across the federal government to transform critical services for the people. These specialists join for tours of civic service to create a steady influx of fresh perspectives.
Data.gov, links to an external website is where you can find data, tools, and resources to conduct research, develop web and mobile applications, design data visualizations, and more.
The CIO Council , links to an external websiteis the principal interagency forum for improving agency practices related to the design, acquisition, development, modernization, use, sharing, and performance of Federal information resources.
The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP, links to an external website) is a government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services.
The Digital Services Playbook, links to an external website details 13 key practices from both the government and the private sector to help build effective digital services.
What's New and Connecting with Others
Digital.gov provides resources, links to an external website to support learning and sharing through the digital transformation process.
Communities of practice, links to an external website is a forum available to all government staff to share experiences, learn from each other in addressing common challenges.
Training and learning, links to an external website events are available to staff to stay up to date on the latest technology, metrics and tools used across the government.