Code for America: Bringing Innovation to Local Government Processes
Summary
In this article, we discuss the Code for America program, which places coders and web developers in local governments to help improve their processes. We also highlight one of the program’s success stories, DiscoverBP, a website that simplifies the school selection process for parents. We explore the requirements for local governments to work with a lean startup group and the sustainability of the applications built through the program.
Table of Contents
- The Code for America program
- DiscoverBP: A Success Story
- Requirements for Local Government to Work with a Lean Startup Group
- Sustainability of Code for America Applications
- Conclusion
The Code for America program
Code for America is a program that places coders and web developers in local governments to help improve their processes. The program is in its second year and has 26 fellows assigned to eight cities. The fellows work in teams of three or four and are designed to replicate the average startup team. They use Eric Ries’ methodology and work like a little startup inside a bureaucracy. The fellows work on identifying a problem space and creating a solution. This year, they are working on blighted properties in Detroit and New Orleans, streamlining the business permitting process in Santa Cruz, and improving the school selection process in Boston.
The program aims to make government work better and more efficiently. It brings innovative and creative people into government and helps them work together to improve government processes. The program is run through a competitive process, with fellows and cities competing for spots. Code for America works with different cities every year to show what’s possible with technology and push for institutional changes.
DiscoverBP: A Success Story
DiscoverBP is a simple and easy-to-use website that helps parents find schools for their children. The website was created by a team of coders who worked on it for a few months and launched it in October. The website is a great example of how technology can simplify government processes and save time and money. The team behind the website believes that government interfaces should be simple, beautiful, and easy to use.
Requirements for Local Government to Work with a Lean Startup Group
For local governments to work with a lean startup group like Code for America, they must show evidence of innovation, a willingness to take risks, and an understanding of the challenges that come with working in a bureaucracy. There are many good partners in local government who are public servants and want to serve the public. By working with Code for America, local governments can bring in innovative ideas and work towards improving their processes.
Sustainability of Code for America Applications
The applications built through Code for America are sustainable and have a long-term impact. Some of these applications become open source and even businesses. The program aims to build sustainable solutions that can be used by local governments beyond the fellowship year. By building these applications, Code for America is not only helping local governments improve their processes but also contributing to the larger technology community.
Conclusion
Code for America is a program that brings innovation to local government processes. Through their fellowship program, they place coders and web developers in local governments to help identify problems and create solutions. DiscoverBP is a great example of how technology can simplify government processes and save time and money. Local governments must show evidence of innovation, a willingness to take risks, and an understanding of the challenges that come with working in a bureaucracy to work with a lean startup group like Code for America. The applications built through Code for America are sustainable and have a long-term impact, contributing to the larger technology community.
