- Ayush Shukla
- Yuanming Zhu
Introductory
Event Organizer(s)
Initiative
Description
This self-paced training course offers an introduction to Service Design & Sandbox Minikube, designed for individuals engaged in developing, testing, and scaling user-centric government digital services. Focused on the principles of design thinking, service blueprinting, and sandbox experimentation, the course highlights the essential role of service design methodologies in enabling transparent, efficient, and citizen-centric digital services within digital public infrastructure (DPI).
Through 6 interactive units, participants explore key concepts, tools, and hands-on practices needed to design, test, and deliver digital government services.
The course emphasizes practical application, enabling participants to design end-to-end service experiences and test them in controlled sandbox environments before real-world deployment. Learners will develop essential skills in journey mapping, blueprinting, wireframing, and prototyping, while also understanding how to integrate GovStack’s modular approach into sustainable and scalable service delivery.
Participants will also gain insights into cross-government service design standards, agile prototyping practices, and sandbox testing protocols that are crucial for reducing risks, promoting innovation, and ensuring trust in digital government ecosystems.
By mastering the core principles of Service Design & Sandbox Minikube, participants are empowered to drive people-centric digital transformation, build interoperable service blueprints, and leverage sandbox environments for safe and effective innovation. This course supports the realization of sustainable, inclusive, and efficient digital ecosystems, contributing to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to innovation, digital inclusion, and responsible governance.
Policymakers, decision-makers in public and private sectors, digital transformation specialists, IT professionals, innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, academics, and industry professionals seeking to enhance interoperability, secure data exchange, and drive digital public infrastructure development.
No prior knowledge or qualification required. This course is open to all interested digital services.
At the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Apply a practical approach to digitizing government services by comprehending user needs, life events, and user journeys, while effectively utilizing reusable software components or Building Blocks.
- Craft user-centric digital services by identifying and improving key touchpoints through 'As-Is' and 'To-Be' user journey analysis.
- Explore the design and development of GovStack-based services for a seamless user experience. Learn to implement user-centered, accessible, and technically robust solutions. Align with GovStack Design Principles and the Implementation Playbook.
- Apply a practical approach to Sandbox Minikube and experience a real use case, Unconditional Social Cash Transfer (USCT), with simulation and examine USCT Demo Architecture and DIY Minicube Architecture effectively.
- Deploy USCT Minikube step-by-step instructions with examples proficiently.
- Demonstrate a partial user flow of the USCT (Unconditional Social Cash Transfer) program using various Building Block APIs, while elucidating the program's objectives aimed at meeting families' basic needs and enhancing their self-sufficiency.
- Understand the concept of User Journey Maps, recognize the significance of utilizing them, proficiently execute Journey Mapping techniques, and skillfully design both As-Is and To-Be Journey Maps.
- Grasp the concept of Service Blueprint, appreciate its utility in service design, and demonstrate proficiency in designing a comprehensive Service Blueprint.
- Construct wireframes effectively by going through step-by-step demonstrations with examples.
The methodology for this course is self-paced, and it includes tasks in the form of knowledge checks, case studies, self-study materials, resources, and expert-led video recordings. These components engage participants in practical applications, analysis of real-world examples, interactive exercises, reflective practice, and insights from industry experts.
- Quiz 1 : 25%
- Quiz 2 : 25%
- Quiz 3 : 25%
- Quiz 4 : 25%
A total score of 80% or higher is required to obtain the ITU badge.
Unit 1: Design & Delivery
This unit introduces the core concepts of digital service design and delivery. Learners will explain GovStack design principles and apply design thinking to build modular, interoperable, and scalable government services. Activities include self-study, case studies, and a quiz.
Unit 2: GovStack Methodology & Service Design Practice
This unit teaches learners how to use user journey mapping, service blueprinting, wireframing, and prototyping. Learners will explore how GovExchange and sandbox environments support iterative development. They will apply the five phases of service design practice and analyze GovStack UX/UI guidelines to create inclusive, user-centered services. Activities include self-study, case studies, and a quiz.
Unit 3: Sandbox Minikube
Learners will understand the concept and purpose of the Sandbox Minikube. The unit explains the Unconditional Social Cash Transfer (USCT) use case and shows how to deploy and configure a Minikube environment. Learners will analyze emulator architectures, adaptors, and GovStack integrations for secure and scalable prototyping. Activities include self-study, case studies, and a quiz.
Unit 4: Create As-Is and To-Be User Journeys
This unit explains the importance of user journey maps. Learners will create As-Is maps to capture current service experiences and To-Be maps to design improved interactions. They will use journey mapping to identify service gaps, pain points, and opportunities for innovation. Activities include self-study, case studies, and a quiz.
Unit 5: Create a Service Blueprint
Learners will explore the purpose and benefits of service blueprints. The unit describes key components such as frontstage and backstage processes. Learners will create blueprints that align people, processes, and technologies and apply blueprinting techniques to digital government use cases. Activities include self-study, case studies, and a quiz.
Unit 6: Create Wireframes
This unit explains the role of wireframes in service prototyping. Learners will create low-fidelity wireframes to visualize user flows and analyze GovStack examples to identify best practices. They will apply iterative design to refine wireframes into prototypes for digital government services. Activities include self-study, case studies, and a quiz.
Registration information
Unless specified otherwise, all ITU Academy training courses are open to all interested professionals, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, economic status and other diverse backgrounds. We strongly encourage registrations from female participants, and participants from developing countries. This includes least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries.
