Collaboration Cycle Overview
Last Updated
The Collaboration Cycle is where teams building products/features on VA.gov get feedback and guidance on their product/feature to ensure it meets VA.gov experience standards. Teams engage with the Collaboration Cycle throughout their product’s/feature’s lifecycle.
Before engaging with the Collaboration Cycle, please review the guidance below to help Platform determine what level of support, which practice areas, and which touchpoints are needed for your work. If you don’t know the answer to a question, then it’s too early for you to engage with the Collaboration Cycle.
How does the Collaboration Cycle work?
The Collaboration Cycle is a series of touchpoints to ensure you build a product that meets VA.gov standards. Teams should engage with the Collaboration Cycle when they begin building or iterating on their product/feature.
Please view the chart on the Touchpoints page for a high-level overview of the Collaboration Cycle touchpoints.
What is the Collaboration Cycle flow?
This flowchart diagrams the Collaboration Cycle’s multi-step process.
= required
= optional
Note: Not all touchpoints are required. The only required touchpoints are the Kickoff Request, PO Sync, Architecture Intent, Staging Review, and the Privacy, security, infrastructure readiness review.
When do I schedule a Collaboration Cycle touchpoint?
PO Sync
You have developed an idea for how to solve your problem statement and have a product outline.
Design Intent
You have drafted a user flow and wireframe.
Architecture Intent
You need support and are ready to discuss your technical approach.
Midpoint Review
You have a high-fidelity design and are preparing to do user research.
Research Review
You're 1 - 2 weeks out from conducting research.
CMS Review
Your product is in CMS kick-off request, allowing enough time to implement feedback.
Analytics Review
You've defined your KPIs and determined which user interactions would be beneficial to track.
Contact Center Review
Prior to launch or unmoderated testing (at least 4 weeks for a brand-new service, or 2 weeks for an iteration for an existing service).
Staging Review
You have met all Staging review requirements.
Privacy, Security, Infrastructure Readiness Review
Your product is in staging and ready for review. You will need enough time to implement feedback from this touchpoint before rollout.
Who supports my team throughout the Collaboration Cycle?
The Governance Team: The Governance Team owns the overall Collaboration Cycle process, even if they’re not involved in every touchpoint. Using their expertise in VA.gov standards and practices, the Governance team helps ensure VFS teams build products that meet standards, are accessible, and align to create a consistent overall VA.gov experience.
Sitewide Content, Accessibility, and Information Architecture (CAIA): Sitewide CAIA partners with the VFS team throughout the product lifecycle process and provides ongoing guidance, direct collaboration, information, and resources needed to build exceptional products for Veterans and family members.
What areas can I get guidance on?
VFS team members can get guidance in the following areas:
Accessibility
Analytics
Contact Center considerations
Content
Content Management System (CMS - Drupal)
Design
Engineering
Information Architecture
Privacy & Security
Quality Assurance
Research
How do I begin the Collaboration Cycle?
Begin the Collaboration Cycle by submitting a Collaboration Cycle Kickoff Request. The Governance team and CAIA will then be in touch with you about next steps.
Help and feedback
Get help from the Platform Support Team in Slack.
Submit a feature idea to the Platform.