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Paperwork Reduction Act

Image AddedThe Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) is a federal law intended to ease the data reporting burden imposed by the government. The law pertains to data collection regardless of form or format (including digital, paper-based, and standardized interviews). The PRA governs most research and feedback collection mechanisms done by or on behalf of the federal government. Any federal agency requesting responses from the public is required to estimate the time and cost burden for citizens to respond and the burden on the federal agency to compile and synthesize the data. Authorizations for PRA approval of data collection come from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and PRA officers in each agency coordinate the effort. 

It is essential and mandatory that CCSQ comply with the PRA when applying human-centered design (HCD) processes and methodologies. However, the PRA should not limit HCD best practices to improve the customer experience.  

Our PRA Services: 

Generic Clearance: In July 2021, CCSQ's Information Systems Group (ISG) obtained OMB approval for an information collection request (ICR) titled "Generic Clearance for the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality IT Product and Support Teams (CMS-10706)" (OMB Control Number: 0938-1397)." This clearance is for the Center for Clinical Standards and Quality IT Product and Support Teams (CIPST) to leverage for specific information collections and includes the Fast-Track approval process. To learn more about the process of leveraging this generic clearance, visit our guide. 

Job Aids & Guides: We’ve developed several visual guides to help teams understand if PRA clearance is required for their HCD research. These tools can be found on our PRA page. 

Consulting: Our team stands ready to advise and offer support on the clearance process. This might include understanding if a clearance is required, or providing feedback on an information collection request. We facilitate collaboration with the Office of Strategic Operations & Regulatory Affairs (OSORA), who coordinates PRA efforts for the agency. 

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Training & Events

Image AddedOur team offers comprehensive and advanced trainings and events, intended to enrich the understanding and application of HCD principles throughout CCSQ. We aim to cultivate an HCD-centric community, encouraging continual learning and collaboration across CCSQ. 

Types of Training & Events: 

1. Training: We provide a wide catalog of training offerings open to all members of CCSQ that furnish attendees with the required knowledge and skills to effectively implement HCD principles, methods, and leadership skills. These trainings span a broad range of topics, from survey methodology and persona development,

1. to how to lead a mature HCD practice. The training caters to varying proficiency levels, offering valuable insights for both newcomers to HCD and seasoned practitioners. 
2. Group-Based Training:  We gladly work with teams to develop a custom learning plan and provide group-based trainings to enable teams to learn together, fostering mutual understanding, and encouraging collaborative application of HCD principles in their work. The shared learning experience aids in building a strong, unified approach to implementing HCD practices. 
3. Community of Practice

1. : We regularly host Community of Practice events to provide a forum for practitioners to connect, exchange experiences, and learn from one another. They feature expert talks, panel discussions, case study presentations, and interactive workshops, promoting a culture of continuous learning and collaboration. 
2. Onboarding: We provide HCD onboarding training to new team members, ensuring they can seamlessly blend into the organization's HCD processes. This includes a comprehensive introduction to the HCD CoE, an overview of how HCD adds value to the community, and practical guidance on incorporating HCD tools and resources in workflow tasks. 
3. World Usability Day: Each year we host a World Usability Day conference, building off an international event promoting usability and customer-centered design practices. This event serves as an opportunity to increase awareness about HCD principles, showcase recent work, and engage with a wider audience on the significance of usability in product and service design. 

To view all upcoming trainings, click here

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The HCD Center of Excellence provides a comprehensive suite of workshops and collaborative planning services to foster the design and development of customer-centric solutions. The services encompass an end-to-end approach to design and planning, aiming to address the unique needs and expectations of clients, users, and stakeholders. Workshops are intensive collaborative sessions used to solve problems and enable progress on a particular challenge throughout the design timeline. Workshops enable participants to come together for a concentrated time of idea generation and hands-on activities that allow them to achieve an actionable goal. 

Upon receiving a project request, an intake meeting is scheduled to understand the client's goals, timeframes, stakeholders, and other crucial project parameters. Based on these insights, the HCD CoE tailors a plan specifically for the client and develops materials for the workshop facilitation. 

Our Workshops: 

The client plays a critical role in the workshops, providing a stakeholder plan for processing workshop data and collaborating on the action plan. Each workshop service is offered by request only, and interested clients are encouraged to contact the HCD CoE directly.