Insights

Young child sitting at a table using a laptop to play games
Digital Services and Products, Digital Transformation and Innovation, Government Consulting, Technology Solutions

Beyond Roblox ID: How verifiable credentials transform digital identity verification for privacy

In the realm of digital identity verification, organizations struggle with balancing stringent compliance requirements and safeguarding citizen privacy. Steve Ly, our Director of Software Development, explains how verifiable credentials can reduce compliance risks while restoring crucial digital trust.

photo of a speed hump on a road for the concept of the speed of code using AI coding assistants
Digital Services and Products, Digital Transformation and Innovation, Government Consulting, Technology Solutions

Does more code, faster, translate into better quality code?

VP and Partner Gordon Ross explores the question: Does the apparent speed of AI coding assistants translate to improved code quality, or do they introduce hidden, long-term systemic costs? He draws a parallel to car speed limits, where individual gains in speed often mask collective burdens.

OXD illustration to support Legacy Modernization concept of keeping operations running and reducing risk, shows a bridge with cars and a crane lowering a segmented part of the bridge onto the functioning bridge.
Digital Services and Products, Digital Transformation and Innovation, Government Consulting, Technology Solutions

Low-risk strategies for modernizing legacy systems

How can product owners update their outdated government digital service without disrupting essential public services?

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Digital Services and Products, Digital Transformation and Innovation, Human-Centred Design

Beyond components: How design principles transform design systems

Our Creative Director Wil Arndt explores how design principles serve as navigational tools that transform design systems from collections of components into strategic assets that drive successful digital transformation.

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Digital Services and Products, Technology Solutions

Performance engineering: The secret to faster, more reliable applications

Slow applications don’t just frustrate users—they could cost businesses millions in lost revenue. Our Director of Software Development, Steve Ly, says the solution is to “Shift left”.

OXD illustration of a concept supporting Intelligent Applications with people and robots collaborating outside a government building.
Digital Services and Products, Government Consulting, Technology Solutions

Innovative AI solutions for government that transform citizen services

From predictive flood warnings to systems that cut document processing times to our own work in government AI consulting, OXD Director of Software Steve Ly explains how AI is revolutionizing government service delivery.

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Digital Services and Products, Government Consulting

Canadian governments are overdue on reducing the administrative burden of their services

Every frustrating form and confusing process erodes public trust. OXD Vice President and Partner Gordon Ross challenges Canadian governments to rebuild that trust by reducing administrative burden on citizens.

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Digital Services and Products, Government Consulting, Technology Solutions

Establishing digital trust with verifiable credentials

Our Director of Software Development, Steve Ly, explores a world where proving your identity or qualifications is as simple as scanning a QR code, without revealing your personal details.

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Digital Services and Products, Government Consulting, Technology Solutions

Public cloud hosting vs. private for modern government web applications

Understanding the trade-offs between private and public clouds is key when aligning with the stringent requirements of government applications. Our analysis breaks down the benefits, challenges, and tailored solutions. 

Illustration by OXD supporting decision-making process. Blue background with a sign post with different arrows pointing different ways.
Digital Services and Products, Digital Transformation and Innovation, Management Consulting

With great decisions comes great responsibility: The work of the Decider

Whether working in government or leading a Fortune 500 company, a clear process for decision-making is crucial. Wil Arndt, OXD’s Creative Director, explores why decision-making in organizations is so hard and how clarity and structure can help teams make better, faster decisions.

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Digital Services and Products, Human-Centred Design

User interface and UX in industrial manufacturing simplify complex systems

Lead Designer James Byun shares insights into how UI/UX design is reshaping the industrial manufacturing landscape, turning complex systems into user-friendly tools.

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Digital Services and Products, Human-Centred Design

A day in the life of the QA Engineers at OXD

Discover how OXD ensures great user experiences that meet our clients’ highest standards. Our QA team unveils how they work and the critical role they play in software development.

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Digital Services and Products, Human-Centred Design, Technology Solutions

QA testing is worth the cost now to reduce risks later. Here are five reasons why.

Some companies try to streamline by leaving QA off, but at OXD we recognize that this approach is risky, and in the long view, costly. Our QA Manager explains why including QA testing in your digital project is worth the cost.

People at whiteboard planning
Digital Services and Products, Technology Solutions

How to plan for a smooth replatforming to Drupal 10

Replatforming your legacy CMS to Drupal 10? Our Software Development team shares some tips to help you avoid the common pitfalls.

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Digital Services and Products, Human-Centred Design, Service Design

How to conduct design research with compassion

In the wake of personal tragedy, designer Jacqueline Antalik practices deeper patience and compassion for research participants.

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Digital Services and Products, Human-Centred Design, Technology Solutions

Three common content migration mistakes, and how to avoid them

Reap the benefits of a successful content migration with these three recommendations.

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Digital Services and Products, Human-Centred Design, Management Consulting

Your website is not your brand

OXD’s Design Director Kallie Ashenden discusses the importance of a holistic brand approach when it comes to your website.

Toddler First Usability Testing 1
Digital Services and Products, Human-Centred Design, Technology Solutions

Toddler-first usability testing

Four observations made from watching a two-and-a-half-year-old use an iPhone.

remote user research concept illustration of zoom call with man and post-it notes
Digital Services and Products, Digital Transformation and Innovation, Government Consulting, Human-Centred Design, Management Consulting, Service Design

How to broaden your reach and reduce participant barriers with remote user research

UX Designer Winnie Ho shares how we worked out some of the kinks encountered with remote user research and virtual engagement.

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Digital Services and Products

Illustration: the overlooked design principle

How can illustration help improve the way users experience your product? An OXD Designer explores the question.

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Digital Services and Products, Technology Solutions

Four easy tests to determine if your website is accessible

OXD’s QA Manager and web accessibility expert shares four simple tests to help you evaluate your website’s accessibility.

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Digital Services and Products, Management Consulting

Pokémon GO: a great example of safe, ethical children’s entertainment.

Creative Director Wil Arndt gives Pokémon GO four out of five stars when it comes to meeting high ethical standards for kids entertainment.

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Digital Services and Products, Technology Solutions

The benefits of decoupled CMS architectures

We’re getting our geek on by looking at decoupled content management system (CMS) architectures. No, no, don’t run. Just stick with us. It’ll be worth it!

Designing Together by Dan Brown book cover, effective collaboration
Digital Services and Products, Human-Centred Design

Improving collaboration and design outcomes with empathy

Senior UX Designer Dave Kachman shares his key takeaways from Designing Together, by Dan Brown, including fundamental concepts that are applicable in almost any situation (not just design) to improve collaboration and navigate successful conflict.