4.3: User Focus Groups
Facilitate User Focus Groups Throughout the Acquisition Lifecycle. Other Information:
Focus groups of end users should be used more frequently to collect input on system requirements and mission/business results.
To overcome misperceptions regarding the PRA in this context, both acquisition teams and industry need to better understand
how the act applies to: * Focus groups consisting solely of Federal employees. Such groups are not subject to the PRA and
would be especially relevant for internal Government systems (e.g., HR, finance) * Focus groups of end users outside Government
(citizens) conducted or sponsored by a Federal agency. Groups involving ten or more members of the public require PRA approval,
but OMB could encourage general approvals for these groups that would allow agencies to obtain approval for a specific group
quickly through a streamlined process * Focus groups conducted or sponsored solely by a non-Federal third-party entity. As
long as the third-party does this on its own, without being asked or encouraged to do so by a Federal agency, its activity
does not require approval under the PRA. If the findings are made public, Federal agencies can learn from them as well In
any of these cases, the focus group would then pass this input on to the acquisition team. This process would fit well with
agile/incremental development, where it could be used to evaluate prototypes and newly delivered capabilities and to suggest
either modifications of the new increment during the next increment or additional capabilities end users would like to see
in the next increment.
Indicator(s):
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