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Citizen Designer
| EMBEDDED CAPABILITIES MODEL

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

Government teams deploy modern platforms but struggle to achieve sustained mission outcomes. Citizen Designer builds the internal capability to decide what to build, not just how to build it. The right delivery, not just faster delivery.
Schedule a demo →
Explore the program
Make better software decisions at scale
  • Validate requirements before delivery begins
  • Align stakeholders around real mission needs
  • Reduce rework by building the right thing the first time
  • Build lasting institutional knowledge and ownership
4.9 / 5
Citizen Designer mission impact rating, USAF pilot cohort
Executive Order 14338

‍Mandates design-led outcomes across federal agencies
‍

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‍

Executive Order 14222

‍‍Requires reduced contractor dependence

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70%

Of public sector digital initiatives underdeliver due to poor UX or limited user insight

McKinsey, Public Sector UX Benchmarks

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.

The Build Trap

The
Build Trap

1
2
3
4
5
Missed needs
Poor experience
Avoidable rework
Leadership pressure
Reactive delivery
Click to learn more

Title

Why it matters

Impact

Next
← Close

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.

Citizen Dev vs Designer Table
Dimension Citizen Developer Citizen Designer
Dimension
Primary Role
Citizen Developer
Build functional systems
Citizen Designer
Ensure systems deliver mission value
Dimension
Success Metric
Citizen Developer
Features deployed, tickets closed
Citizen Designer
Outcomes achieved, rework eliminated
Dimension
Decision Scope
Citizen Developer
What to build and how
Citizen Designer
What problem is actually being solved
Dimension
Scales
Citizen Developer
Delivery capacity
Citizen Designer
Decision quality
Dimension
Risk Addressed
Citizen Developer
Technical debt and delays
Citizen Designer
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
Operational Platform & Tooling
Coaching & Engagement
Integration &
Scaling
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
Operational Platform & Tooling
Give teams the infrastructure to apply Citizen Designer methods in active
delivery environments.

Connected workflows and decision-support tools that make discovery and validation repeatable at scale.

WHAT YOU GET

    • Guided Method Manager tool with recommended workflows
    • Shared workspace for research, decisions, and evidence
    • Reusable playbooks and linked delivery artifacts

HOW IT'S DELIVERED

    • Web-based workspace with integrated delivery tools
    • Connects with Miro, Agile, and internal systems
    • Configurable for live mission environments

EXAMPLE USE

    • Guide teams to use the right methods at each stage
    • Preserve decision history across programs
    • Standardize evidence-based delivery practices
Coaching & Engagement
Turn learning into real-world execution.

Embedded support that helps teams apply Citizen Designer methods in active delivery.

HOW IT'S DELIVERED

  • Embedded alongside delivery teams
  • Scheduled facilitation sessions and working sessions
  • Remote or on-site engagement models

WHAT YOU GET

  • Live coaching tied to active delivery work
  • Facilitated workshops for discovery and validation
  • Expert support during key delivery decisions

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.

HOW IT'S DELIVERED

  • Integration with Agile and DevSecOps pipelines
  • Alignment with existing program governance
  • Support for scaling across teams and systems

WHAT YOU GET

  • Discovery and validation embedded into delivery workflows
  • Governance alignment and reporting structures
  • Persistent mission knowledge system that retains research, decisions, and validation history

EXAMPLE USE

  • Embed new practices into delivery environments
  • Scale from pilot teams to enterprise adoption

Proven with Leading Organization

"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)
Faster delivery with less rework
with less rework
Higher mission impact
per dollar spent
Empowered staff
less contractor reliance

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.

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.

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 →
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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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