How we became the Brady Bunch Working on a distributed design team

Jennifer Thibault Experience designer, 18F @jlthibault | jennifer.thibault@gsa.gov

18F is a civic consultancy for the U.S. government, inside the U.S. government. We help agencies quickly deploy tools and services that are easy to use, cost efficient, and reusable.

For example

7

159 people 44% DC56% everywhere else

Last week

Next year?

1/ Things teams can do

PART ONE

“It can’t just be the responsibility of those working remotely to be extra-engaged.” - Becky Sweger, Developer, Western MA

Adopt a distributed-first mentality.

Starts on day 1

Keep building your team culture.

Create context for each other.

Try it online anyways.

Know when to come together.

Distributed-first. Keep building culture. Create context. Online anyways. Know limits.

PART TWO

2/ Things you can do

Make a “hitting the fan” plan.

Make a “hitting the fan” plan. Over-communicate.

Make a “hitting the fan” plan. Over-communicate. Say thank you. A lot.

Make a “hitting the fan” plan. Over-communicate. Say thank you. A lot. Eat lunch.

3/ How this really works

PART THREE

Design studio

If we’re doing this, so can you.

thanks!

@jlthibault | jennifer.thibault@gsa.gov

@18F | 18F.gsa.gov