Insights
Low-risk strategies for modernizing legacy systems
How can product owners update their outdated government digital service without disrupting essential public services?
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.
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”.
Exploring the relationship between service evaluation and admin burden
After challenging Canadian governments to reduce administrative burden, OXD Vice President and Partner Gordon Ross spoke with public servants about how to measure and address these hidden costs. What emerged wasn’t just about service efficiency—it’s about understanding citizens’ complex relationships with government policy.
When court processes are stuck in the past, justice suffers.
Outdated court processes delay justice and burden staff. Digital transformation can make courts more efficient, accurate, and accessible.
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.
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.
Is digital government just government? A nuanced debate at FWD50
In this Insight, Gordon Ross, Vice President and Partner at OXD suggests that the answer lies not in choosing sides, but in better understanding the evolution of government capabilities.
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.
Five impressions from an unexpected healthcare service journey
Being the parent of an injured child forced Gordon Ross, OXD Vice President and Partner, to reconsider how a service designed equates to a service experienced. Here are his impressions on the collision of time, infrastructure, and identity across an unexpected summer healthcare journey.
Will AI replace software developers? Why the Answer is “No”.
Our Director of Software Development, Steve Ly explains why AI should be seen as a powerful ally, instead of an unfriendly foe.
Embracing the vertigo of service design
Gordon Ross shares insights around the profound impact of viewing service design from a broader perspective.
Top six reasons governments should implement Zero Trust principles
Discover how adopting Zero Trust principles can bolster cybersecurity and better protect sensitive data from modern threats.
United on the field: Government teams and vendors in action
Bridging the gap between government teams and vendors, Gordon Ross discusses how blended digital teams can transcend traditional roles to achieve success in public sector projects.
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.
Exploring the role of value in government product management
Without more investment in learning about value-creating behaviours in government product management, Gordon Ross, VP at OXD, writes that government risks the classic “nice landing, wrong airport” scenario of shipping a well-engineered, but flawed product at speed.
Pre-Discovery and the challenge of the fuzzy front-end of digital transformation
“Pre-Discovery” in government may do more harm than good, blending good intentions with vague goals. What’s the aim—funding, defining issues, consensus? VP and Partner of OXD, Gordon Ross, explains that there are better ways to avoid early confusion with your Digital Transformation project.
AI and access to the justice system: design challenges and considerations
Gordon Ross, VP and Partner at OXD, stresses that AI can’t improve public access to court information unless the underlying information is addressed first.
Cross-platform vs. native application development: How to choose?
Steve Ly, Director of Software Development at OXD, discusses the benefits of considering cross-platform technologies versus native solutions to optimize development efforts and enhance the digital experience for users.
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.
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.
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.
How you can use GBA+ for inclusive analysis in projects
Director of User Experience Jacqueline Antalik discusses the benefits of Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+)—a tool that helps you see how different genders and diverse people experience policies, programs, and services.
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.
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.
Should you compensate research participants?
OXD UX Designer Hitomi Yokota explores the question, “Should we compensate research participants?” We believe it’s not only essential, but also an ethical requirement.
How to conduct design research with compassion
In the wake of personal tragedy, designer Jacqueline Antalik practices deeper patience and compassion for research participants.
Digital Transformation in Government
OXD spoke with senior managers and director-level public servants across Canada for their perspectives on Digital Transformation.
Are your website KPIs traceable?
At OXD, we often recommend a simple table we call a KPI Traceability Matrix to show the connection from the objective or goal through to the KPI.
Three common content migration mistakes, and how to avoid them
Reap the benefits of a successful content migration with these three recommendations.
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
Four observations made from watching a two-and-a-half-year-old use an iPhone.
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.
An Agile approach to an anti-racist and inclusive workplace
How do we understand and meaningfully address our part in perpetuating systemic racism? What does it mean to create an anti-racist and inclusive workplace environment?
Digital Transformation as an endurance sport
An OXD Service Designer draws parallels between their experience with endurance sport and their work in digital transformation initiatives with government.
The Indigenization of policies and services in BC: lessons from Te Ao Māori
Reflections on working in the public sector and how British Columbia can move towards the systemic Indigenization of policies and services.
OpenShift: making Agile development a reality for government projects
How and why we used a Platform as Service (PaaS) to help the Ministry of the Attorney General build capacity and improve citizen access to justice.
Illustration: the overlooked design principle
How can illustration help improve the way users experience your product? An OXD Designer explores the question.
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.
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.
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!
Design for Policy: Bringing a design thinking approach to TransLink’s Fare Review process
TransLink partners with OXD's Service Design team to understand customer experiences during their Transit Fare Review.
Navigating the PIA process in the BC provincial government
An OXD Service Designer reflects on their experience working with the BC Government and offers six tips to make your privacy impact assessment process easier to navigate.
Gratitude in the workplace
Can a simple thanks lead to greater happiness and engagement at work? Jacqueline Antalik, our Director of User Experience, explores the question.
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.