Collect data for your GOV.UK service in minutes using our Data Upload Design Kit
Register Dynamics has designed a free and open-source Data Upload Design Kit for service designers in Government to use. It works with the GOV.UK Prototype Kit and offers a quick and easy way to build journeys that gather data in bulk from users.
This means that the often time-consuming and difficult task of collecting vast amounts of data from different people can be managed in a matter of minutes.
What is the Data Upload Design Kit?
It’s a set of templates that designers can use to create a simple data upload journey for their users. The templates are fully customisable and the toolkit is designed to make the process of gathering large amounts of data quick and easy.
The Data Upload Design Kit can handle complex spreadsheets and can be used as part of the GOV.UK Prototype Kit and in production as part of a real service. All components and patterns are compatible with the GOV.UK Design System.
Who is it for?
The Data Upload Design Kit is for designers in Government who need to collect large amounts of data from different users in their service.
You may be working on a new live service or adapting and maintaining a current one, and need a way to collect data (either as a one-off or on a regular basis) from various sources.
Why have we made it?
From our extensive work with Government organisations, we have observed a common challenge that is experienced by many. It is often the individuals most committed to delivering better services in Government who struggle with this issue: collecting data from different users and consolidating it for use in a live service.
Although this task does not sound like a major one, it is often a very complex process and an overly time-consuming one too.
What’s the problem?
Gathering lots of data from different users is tricky for various reasons:
Users have their data in a number of different formats
There is no system in place to gather this or for them to upload to easily
Users are often reluctant to change how they store their data and how they share it
This often means that design teams need to:
Design and build a new service or system from scratch - (which is a lengthy, time-consuming, costly and complicated process)
Get users to use this new system
The result usually requires the user to spend a lot of time preparing the data (i.e. reformatting, re-arranging, transforming it), which often leads to confusion, frustration and sometimes abandonment of the process entirely. Unfortunately it is a painful process for all involved which accumulates sunk time and costs.
The solution
There must be a way to make this easier - we thought! So we put our minds together, drew from our experiences from working with Government and creating similar systems, and developed a new tool: the Data Upload Design Kit
This special design toolkit focuses on the user needs and making the process that they need to go through, to upload data, as easy and painless as possible.
This includes:
Reducing the need for a user to spend time re-formatting, transforming and rearranging their data.
Making use of the data they have (in their spreadsheets or whatever form they have it in), as much as possible (i.e. upload the spreadsheet they have, select the bits they need, and ignore the rest).
Why should you use the Data Upload Design Kit?
The Data Upload Design Kit offers a series of tried and tested, ready-made template pages that can be put together to form an easy-to-use data gathering tool. It is great to use because it:
Saves time and money: i.e. there is no need to create a brand new system from scratch (and to do all of the things that would be needed as part of this e.g. research, design, development, training and onboarding)
Is based on real user experiences and in-depth research: Our user research and experience has enabled us to identify key patterns in the user upload journey that are needed for a successful and seamless experience.
Has a flexible design template: Preview, design and customise each step of the user journey for your specific needs.
Is intuitive and user-friendly: It works with the data users already have i.e. users can upload and manipulate their spreadsheets easily, hey can preview and see their data straight away, and complete the whole process in just a few minutes.
It’s free and ready-to-go: It only takes a few seconds to get started. It’s easy to set up and is completely free.
Take a look at the Data Upload Design Kit now to get started with it, or get in touch.
About Register Dynamics
Register Dynamics is an independent data and technology consultancy based in the UK. We are a pre-approved Crown Commercial Service supplier with a strong track record of delivering value to the public sector. We have delivered projects for numerous clients including: Government Digital Service, Ministry of Justice, Department for Education, Department for Business and Trade, Department of Health and Social Care, and national security clients.
To find the best way to work with us, buy our services or get support through the procurement process, get in touch with us now.
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