DCP Labs

A Proposal

GovTech Projects

Take a long time...

Cost a lot of money...

Can be lacking in user experience...

A Lean Dev Shop

Prototypes Quickly...

Uses Free, Cheap, & Open Source Tools...

Starts with design thinking...

18F is changing the way federal agencies think about tech

18F's Principles

Human-centered Design

Agile Methods

Open Technology

They Build Great Tools

They document the why and how

We can do it here too...

Indeed, we already are...

Let's be more deliberate about it

How we build is as important as what we build

DCP Labs is

a small, nimble team

a design partner

a proving ground

a tech evangelist

Core Values

Open by Default

Build With, Not For

Ship Early, Ship Often

Document and Disseminate

The Org Chart

I need but 3 lines to start:

  • Director (Yours Truly)
  • UI/UX/Graphic Designer
  • Full Stack Web Developer

If you're feeling frisky, throw in some interns!

Strict Project Criteria

  • 100% Open - No Secret or Political Projects
  • Concept to Shipped in 4-6 weeks
  • Immediate Value Prop & Use Case for DCP

That's ~10 projects shipped in the first year.

Hold me to it.

Low-Hanging Fruit

  • ZOLA/Zoning App
  • Census Factfinder
  • PLUTO Explorer
  • Land Use Clipper for Applicants

OTPS

$15K for hosting and cloud services

3 Unadulterated Mac Laptops w/accoutrements

A Fast, unrestricted internet connection

A Home - A space to be creative in

Messaging & Branding

Techblog - Everyone writes

Twitter - Everyone tweets

Website - labs.planning.nyc.gov

Conferences & Events

Teaching

Regular Skill Shares - Open to Everyone

Promote FOSS and modern practices in ITD and beyond

Inspire & Educate Urban Planners Everywhere

A Typical Project

Week 1 - Kickoff + Design Sprint

Weeks 2-5 - Agile Development Sprints

Week 6 - Documentation, Maintenance, Evangelism, Transition

What's in it for DCP?

Great Ideas => Real Products

Applicants, Citizens, Stakeholders Benefit

Tech Pioneers - Dare to R&D

DCP Labs

Let's do this!