Missing Form Name: Staging Review Finding & Solution

by SLV Team 53 views
Staging Review Finding: Missing Form Name Discussion

Hey guys, let's dive into this staging review finding where we've spotted a missing form name. This is super important for ensuring our veterans can easily understand and navigate the forms they need. We're focusing on making the user experience as smooth as possible, so let's get this fixed!

Need a refresher? Check out how to read a Staging Review ticket. If you're still scratching your head, tag @platform-governance-team-members on Slack – they're the superheroes of platform governance!

Product Information

  • Team: Disability Benefits
  • Product: 21-526ez Disability Benefits Application
  • Feature: Veterans can see and save their completed disability form responses after submitting

Findings Details

Description

Okay, so here’s the gist of it: The form number 21-526EZ is chilling on the page without its plain language name. According to our style guide, every form needs a name that’s easy for everyone to understand. This isn't just a minor detail; it's a crucial part of making sure our veterans can easily find and understand the forms they need. Think of it like this: we want to make things crystal clear, so no one's left scratching their heads. When we provide plain language names, we're not just ticking a box; we're making a tangible difference in the user experience. It's about empathy and ensuring that every veteran feels supported and informed. We need to make sure that all of our content is clear, concise, and user-friendly, and that starts with the basics, like ensuring that every form has a name that people can easily understand. This is especially crucial for forms like the 21-526EZ, which deals with disability benefits. These benefits are vital for our veterans, and we owe it to them to make the application process as straightforward as possible. So, let's roll up our sleeves and get this fixed. Remember, it’s about more than just following guidelines; it's about serving those who have served us.

Recommended Action

For the current guidance, keeping it simple is key. Adding the plain language name just once on the page should do the trick. I'd suggest tweaking the subtitle to: "Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits (VA Form 21-526EZ)". This way, we're giving folks the friendly name they need right alongside the official form number. It's a small change, but it can make a big difference in clarity and comprehension. When we use colloquial names, we're speaking the user's language, and that's always a win. It's about bridging the gap between official jargon and everyday language. Plus, it helps with searchability too! When veterans are looking for this form, they might search using the colloquial name. By including it, we're making it easier for them to find what they need. This approach aligns perfectly with our goal of providing a user-centered experience. We're not just throwing information at them; we're guiding them, making the process intuitive and less overwhelming. So, let’s make this simple adjustment and continue to prioritize clear communication across all our platforms. Every little bit helps in making the VA experience a positive one for our veterans. It’s about respect, understanding, and making a real difference in their lives.

References

  • Accessibility Defect Severity: N/A
  • WCAG Success Criteria: N/A
  • Modality: N/A
  • Design System Component: N/A
  • Design System Pattern or Template: N/A
  • Design System Foundation: N/A
  • Content Style Guide: Government forms
  • Context: N/A

Next Steps for the VFS Team

How did this touchpoint go? Give feedback on the Collaboration Cycle at any time.

  • [ ] Questions? For the quickest answers, hit up your team channel on Slack and tag @platform-governance-team-members. They're ready to help you validate the issue and sort out any head-scratchers.
  • [ ] Ticket ownership: Think this ticket's out of your team's ballpark, points to a Design System glitch, or maybe shouldn't be fixed? No sweat! Just drop a comment in your team's Slack channel, tag @platform-governance-team-members, and spill the beans. Explain why you think it's a mismatch and who should really be tackling it. The Governance team will jump in to sort things out.
  • [ ] Close this ticket once you've squashed the issue or your Product Owner gives it the thumbs up.

Wrapping up, let's make sure we're all on the same page about the importance of clear form names. It's a small detail with a big impact, and by nailing it, we're making the VA experience better for everyone involved. So, let's get this done and keep striving for clarity and user-friendliness in all that we do. And remember, if you have any questions or need a hand, the @platform-governance-team-members are just a Slack tag away. We're in this together!

Let's talk more about the impact of clear form names and how it aligns with our broader goals of user-centered design. We're not just filling out forms here; we're helping veterans access benefits they've earned. And that process should be as straightforward and stress-free as possible. A big part of that is making sure that every form, every piece of content, is easy to understand. When forms have clear, plain language names, it reduces confusion and the cognitive load on the user. They don't have to guess what a form is for or decipher jargon. They can quickly identify the form they need, which saves time and reduces frustration. Think about it from the user's perspective: they're often dealing with complex and sensitive issues. The last thing they need is to be stumped by a confusing form name. We want to empower them, not overwhelm them. So, by ensuring that every form has a clear name, we're showing our respect for their time and their experience. We're saying, “We value your understanding, and we're committed to making this process as easy as possible.” This also ties into our broader goals of accessibility. Clear form names are essential for users with disabilities, including those who use screen readers. A screen reader will read out the form name, so it needs to be accurate and descriptive. A vague or technical name can be a real barrier for these users. By prioritizing clear form names, we're making our content more accessible to everyone, and that's a core principle of good design. Plus, clear form names have a positive ripple effect. They improve searchability, both on our site and through external search engines. They reduce the likelihood of users filling out the wrong form. And they contribute to an overall sense of professionalism and trustworthiness. When our content is clear and user-friendly, it builds confidence and trust in the VA. So, let's not underestimate the power of a well-named form. It's a small detail, but it's a critical piece of the puzzle. And by addressing this issue in the staging review, we're taking a proactive step toward creating a better user experience for our veterans. Remember, we're all working toward the same goal: to serve those who have served us. And clear communication is one of the best ways we can do that.

Furthermore, let's discuss how we can prevent this issue from recurring in future staging reviews. Proactive measures are key to maintaining a high standard of content quality. One of the best ways to prevent missing form names is to incorporate a checklist into our content creation and review process. This checklist should include a specific item for ensuring that all forms have a plain language name. By making this a standard part of our workflow, we can catch these issues early on, before they even make it to the staging review. This checklist should be used by both content creators and reviewers. It's a shared responsibility to ensure that our content meets the required standards. And by having a checklist, we're providing a clear framework for accountability. Another important step is to reinforce the importance of the Content Style Guide. The guide is our go-to resource for all things content-related, including form names. We should regularly remind team members to consult the style guide and to follow its guidelines. This can be done through team meetings, training sessions, or even just quick reminders in our daily communications. The more familiar we are with the style guide, the more likely we are to catch these issues ourselves. In addition to the checklist and the style guide, we should also encourage open communication and collaboration. If someone is unsure about the correct form name, they should feel comfortable asking for help. There's no shame in not knowing something, and it's always better to ask a question than to make a mistake. We should create a culture where questions are welcomed and where team members support each other. This can be done through Slack channels, regular check-ins, or even just informal conversations. By fostering a collaborative environment, we can tap into the collective knowledge of the team and ensure that we're all working toward the same goals. Finally, we should regularly review our processes and identify areas for improvement. The staging review process is a great opportunity to learn and grow. We should take the time to analyze the findings from each review and to identify any patterns or trends. If we consistently see the same types of issues, it's a sign that we need to adjust our processes. This could involve updating our checklist, providing additional training, or even just tweaking our workflow. By continuously improving our processes, we can create a more efficient and effective content creation system. Remember, prevention is always better than cure. By taking these proactive steps, we can minimize the risk of missing form names and ensure that our content consistently meets the highest standards of quality.