A1M Blog

What to do when stakeholders don't speak the language of design

One little word can derail collaboration between human-centered design (HCD) and stakeholders. Recover momentum with straightforward strategies that bridge the gap between design terminology and what really matters.

Irina Shapiro

April 19, 2026

Product strategy in a changing government landscape

In today’s federal environment, traditional product planning is increasingly impractical. Meeting this moment requires an adaptive approach to product strategy, along with storytelling, flexible prioritization, and the ability to realign quickly.

Silvia Fernandez

April 19, 2026

Policy Connector home page with the tagline, “An Easier Way to Navigate Policy Information.” It shows examples of Policy Connector’s topic-based search and AI search summaries.

Adding AI and machine learning features the boring way

With only a three-person team, we experiment with and implement AI and machine learning features that improve a mature tool’s usability

Britta Gustafson

November 20, 2025

Building a communications framework from the bottom up

Content strategy doesn’t need to be a complex top-down framework. Small improvements based on common problems provide opportunities to develop process, get buy-in, and increase understanding.

Elaine Nelson

October 30, 2025

A person uses a smartphone to connect to a computer kiosk. Another person works at a desk in the distance.

User testing vs. reality: Challenges in self-service healthcare technology

Computer kiosks are everywhere. While they can increase efficiency and lower costs, they can cause issues in complex situations such as healthcare entry points. A recent visit to a bloodwork lab illustrates how such systems can pose barriers to care when designed without accessibility in mind.

Leslie Detwiler Setlock

September 5, 2025

The art and (data) science of designing data products

Data shapes our decisions daily, but making it clear and useful takes intentional design. Learn how Data Product Designers transform complex data into actionable insights, helping users navigate and leverage information to achieve their goals.

Sarah Coloma

Eleanor Nesbit

March 19, 2025

Engaging underserved communities: Reflections on a federal public feedback process

A reflection and call-to-action piece (through the lens of human-centered best practices) about the OMB seeking feedback on developing a public participation and community engagement framework, and how we believe these types of efforts can be improved.

Nazia Hussain

Julian Rodríguez

January 15, 2025

The rising importance of community-based organizations in our healthcare system

Investments in community-based organizations in rural areas are a critical solution to the healthcare provider shortage — and have surprisingly widespread effects on health-related social needs.

Kristine Nixon

Sonal Ambegaokar

September 12, 2024

Making websites accessible: insights from Chinese readers

Explore practical methods for making websites more accessible to people with Limited English Proficiency (LEP)

Sijia Pitts

August 27, 2024

Applying human-centered principles to California Health and Human Services

Over ten years, California has committed to a more person-centered approach to improving residents' health. This includes ensuring health and human services agencies build technology solutions focused on those they serve. Here's how A1M's expertise in human-centered design aligns to their goals.

Sonal Ambegaokar

May 24, 2024

Sunset strategies: Transitioning legacy features to new horizons

"Sunsetting" is the phasing out of a product, service, or policy. Like real sunsets, technology sunsets need a gradual, smooth fade-out. Here are five lessons we've learned to make your sunset beautiful.

Sarah Coloma

April 1, 2024

How to develop more trusting relationships as a government contractor

Here are some ways contractors can build reciprocal trust and meaningful relationships with government partners without using niche vocabularies, fancy slide decks, or double-diamond frameworks.

Laura Blumenthal

February 12, 2024

Content governance and digital-first public experiences

Content governance is a key part of any digital-first public experience. Learn how to get started.

Mike Cook

January 29, 2024

Lorem Ipsum and content strategy

Lorem Ipsum is the design industry term for a block of nonsensical text used as a placeholder. It emerged from a real need for unfinished text, but it doesn't address the content problems that teams in government need to solve.

Jonathan Stegall

December 19, 2023

Lo-fi wireframes: An overlooked step in the design process

Lo-fi wireframes are often overlooked but are a crucial step in the design process.

Lauren Furushima

October 20, 2023

Building Medicaid data readiness for California human services providers

California has approved A1M to provide unified policy, design, and digital transformation consulting for community-based organizations participating in the CalAIM Medicaid initiative. Our focus is building capacity for data collection, management, sharing, and use.

Elizabeth Goodman

August 24, 2023

The importance of commenting on proposed changes to regulations

A1M recently submitted our first comment response to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking from CMS related to the Medicaid program and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), suggesting improvements for implementation of eligibility and enrollment changes. Commenting on proposed changes.

Britta Gustafson

November 21, 2022

Reuse our moderately fun anti-phishing training

Any business with an email address or phone number is a target for phishing, including ours. When we couldn't find a research-based training that was entertaining enough to keep staff engaged, we made one.

Britta Gustafson

October 26, 2022

The human cost when policy implementation lacks human-centered design

As the world appears to be turning a corner with the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Medicaid beneficiaries may soon lose the coverage they rely on.

Rebecca Bruno

October 26, 2022

The detective work of content strategy

If you want to be an expert content strategist, try thinking of yourself as a detective. Not sure how to do that? This article offers a guide to content sleuthing...

Silvia Fernandez

October 26, 2022

Why nature inspires the way we work

In honor of Earth Day on April 22nd, I thought it would be a good time to reflect on why and how nature has influenced my life and shaped the very principles that guide our work at A1M...

Kristine Nixon

October 26, 2022

How to work for better government… without working for the government

If you care deeply about the public good but would prefer a job outside of government, don't despair. You can still do excellent work and improve government services. This post explains how.

Elizabeth Goodman

November 4, 2022

What you need to know about conducting research with subject matter experts

Crossing over from the private sector into civic tech, we bring our experience and knowledge from consumer research along with us, but in civic tech, SMEs are the people who know what you need to know to build a fantastic government product.

Jenn Downs

November 4, 2022

What to do about crafty executive orders

I’ve learned a lot about the story of EO 10450, and it taught me to read Executive Orders not at the level of the policy they’re saying they put forth, but at their actual effects.

Britta Gustafson

November 4, 2022

What to do when stakeholders don't speak the language of design

Product strategy in a changing government landscape

Adding AI and machine learning features the boring way

Building a communications framework from the bottom up

User testing vs. reality: Challenges in self-service healthcare technology

The art and (data) science of designing data products

Engaging underserved communities: Reflections on a federal public feedback process

The rising importance of community-based organizations in our healthcare system

Making websites accessible: insights from Chinese readers

Applying human-centered principles to California Health and Human Services

Sunset strategies: Transitioning legacy features to new horizons

How to develop more trusting relationships as a government contractor

Content governance and digital-first public experiences

Lorem Ipsum and content strategy

Lo-fi wireframes: An overlooked step in the design process

Building Medicaid data readiness for California human services providers

The importance of commenting on proposed changes to regulations

Reuse our moderately fun anti-phishing training

The human cost when policy implementation lacks human-centered design

The detective work of content strategy

Why nature inspires the way we work

How to work for better government… without working for the government

What you need to know about conducting research with subject matter experts

What to do about crafty executive orders

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