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Citizen Designer

Build the capability your modernization depends on.

Government teams invest in and deploy modern platforms but still struggle to deliver mission outcomes. Citizen Designer provides measurable  trainings, tools, and coaching systems that builds the internal capabilities required to meet the mission.
Stronger mission outcomes and internal capabilities.

Design as a federal mandate
Executive Order 14338 directs agencies to improve outcomes through better design, not just better technology.

View EO 14338 →

Enforced efficiency and accountability
‍Executive Order 14222 requires agencies to justify spending, reduce waste, and prioritize internal capability over external consulting.

View EO 14222 →

Make better software decision at scale.
  • Validate requirements before delivery begins
  • Align stakeholders around real user and mission needs
  • Reduce rework by building the right thing the first time
  • Grow institutional knowledge and internal ownership over mission execution
Schedule a demo

You’ve solved how to build.
You haven’t solved what to build.

That gap is where time, budget, and mission value are lost.

Most teams are stuck in the build trap.

‍AI and low-code help teams build fast, but building fast on incorrect assumptions about user needs and mission priorities only increases waste.To escape the build trap, teams need to validate what to build before full-scale delivery begins.

The Build Trap

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Missed needs
Poor experience
Avoidable rework
Leadership pressure
Reactive delivery
Click on any item to learn more

Title

Why it matters

Impact

← Back to cycle

This isn’t a tooling problem.
It’s a decision problem.

Low-code platforms gave every team a citizen developer.
No one gave them a citizen designer.

Dimension Citizen Developer Citizen Designer
Primary Role Build functional systems Ensure systems deliver mission value
Success Metric Features deployed, tickets closed Outcomes achieved, rework eliminated
Decision Scope What to build and how What problem is actually being solved
Scales Delivery capacity Decision quality
Risk Addressed Technical debt and delays Misalignment and mission failure

Citizen Developers help you build faster.
‍Citizen Designers ensure you’re building the right thing.

What We Offer

Four modular program components that transform your
workforce into Citizen Designers

Training
↓
Build foundational capability across your workforce.
Structured learning that equips teams to discover, validate, and prioritize better decisions.
WHAT YOU GET
  • Tailored Citizen Designer learning modules
  • SCORM-ready training packages for LMS deployment
  • Role-based learning paths by function and team
HOW IT'S DELIVERED
  • SCORM-compatible LMS deployment or hosted platform
  • Embedded into existing training environments
  • Facilitated workshops for cohort-based learning
EXAMPLE USE
  • Upskill internal staff to reduce contractor dependence
  • Standardize how teams approach discovery and validation
Tools & Operational Resources
↓
Give teams the structure to apply what they learn.
Templates, workflows, and decision frameworks that make discovery repeatable.
WHAT YOU GET
  • Research, testing, and synthesis templates
  • Connected digital workspace for evidence tracking
  • Reusable delivery artifacts and workflows
HOW IT'S DELIVERED
  • Downloadable and editable toolkits
  • Integration with tools like Miro or internal systems
  • Designed for immediate use in delivery
EXAMPLE USE
  • Replace ad hoc approaches with structured methods
  • Standardize decision-making across programs
Coaching & Engagement
↓
Turn learning into real-world execution.
Embedded support that helps teams apply Citizen Designer methods in active delivery.
WHAT YOU GET
  • Live coaching tied to delivery work
  • Facilitated discovery workshops
  • Expert support during key decisions
HOW IT'S DELIVERED
  • Embedded alongside delivery teams
  • Scheduled sessions and working engagements
  • Remote or on-site models
EXAMPLE USE
  • Guide teams through real discovery cycles
  • Accelerate adoption of new ways of working
Integration & Scaling
↓
Embed new ways of working into your system.
Connect discovery and validation into delivery pipelines, governance, and execution.
WHAT YOU GET
  • Discovery embedded into delivery workflows
  • Governance alignment and reporting structures
  • Persistent mission knowledge system
HOW IT'S DELIVERED
  • Integration with Agile and DevSecOps pipelines
  • Alignment with program governance
  • Support for scaling across teams
EXAMPLE USE
  • Embed new practices into delivery environments
  • Scale from pilot teams to enterprise adoption

Proven with Leading Organization

Four modular program components that transform your
workforce into Citizen Designers

"Citizen Designer sparked a real cultural shift across AF/A1. It gave our teams the tools and mindset to build better solutions every day."
Director of Design Management and UX Strategy
United States Air Force (USAF)

U.S. Air Force

Piloting Citizen Designers in Government

Throughline partnered with the United States Air Force (USAF) to pilot a “Citizen Designer” program, creating practical learning modules and toolkits that teach product-focused design methods, later deployed in the USAF learning system for broad, scalable use.

Not Sure Where to Start?

Citizen Designer at a Glance
Understand how the program works and how to  start quickly.

Download One-Pager →
Make the Case for Citizen Designers
Educate leadership on how build internal design & discovery capabilities across their organization.

Download White Paper →
Download Briefing Deck →

The Result

Faster delivery with less rework
Higher mission impact
Empowered staff and less reliance on contractors

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this different from hiring a UX consultant? +
Citizen Designer builds internal capabilities, not just external deliverables. Your team learns how to define, test, and validate what to build so better decisions continue after the engagement ends.
Will this slow down delivery? +
No. In fact, it prevents teams from moving quickly in the wrong direction by reducing rework and validating assumptions earlier.
Do participants need a design background? +
No. The program is designed for program leads, operators, and delivery teams. The methods are practical and directly applied into real work.
What happens after the program ends? +
Your team keeps the methods, tools, and working practices. The goal is to leave behind capabilities that continue to improve decisions over time.
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Together, we can make your vision a reality.

info@throughline.com
+1 202.234.8685
Washington, DC
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