> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://digital-service-network.gitbook.io/building-the-dsn-website/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://digital-service-network.gitbook.io/building-the-dsn-website/getting-started-on-the-digital-service-network-site.md). # Getting Started on the Digital Service Network Site *This weekly blog details the development of the Digital Service Network (DSN) website. The DSN is a growing peer learning network that connects and supports digital service teams and professionals so digital government services are responsive, open, and accessible to everyone. The DSN is supported by the* [*Beeck Center for Public Impact and Innovation*](http://beeckcenter.georgetown.edu)*, and the* [*U.S. Digital Response (USDR)*](http://usdigitalresponse.org)*. The DSN website is being developed with the help of USDR volunteers and this blog describes the weekly work being done as a way to illustrate to governments the process that can be anticipated when working with USDR. Each week, we will share the experience of building this site with USDR volunteers, highlights from the week, and our “doing/done” workflow.* *Today’s post is by* [*Kirsten Wyatt*](https://linkedin.com/in/kwyatt)*:* This project partnership is off to a great start with the addition of USDR volunteers [Yue Wu](https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuewumit/) and [Katrina Sabbak](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ksabbak/). USDR helps governments, nonprofits, and public entities respond quickly to critical public needs by matching volunteers to governments. As a free, nonpartisan service, USDR can seem too good to be true. And with the addition of Yue and Katrina to our team, all of us at the DSN were pinching ourselves during our kickoff meetings - they bring exceptional work experience to this project. In this week’s meeting, we did a high level project overview to align the full team with timelines, processes, and deliverables. This is an important step to get everyone on the same page, especially related to the iterative process we are using to research, build, test, and refine the site so it meets the needs of the DSN. **Highlights from this week:** A shared agreement of why we are here: “To build a user-friendly, customizable, sharable, and scalable website that meets the user needs, is easy to maintain, and can create long-term impact.” Emphasis on our human-centered, iterative process for this project. Clearly defined work assignments for the next week so everyone left the meeting understanding their responsibilities. User research is the foundation for this project and we are focusing our efforts on meaningful and constructive interviews with people who have already engaged with the DSN, as well as people who may benefit from DSN services in the future. **Doing:** *Design/research* Begin user research - filter potential interview candidates and select the interviewees; schedule research sessions Draft user interview guide Learn initial website functions and previous proof of concept website feedback (if any) *Development* Understand the desired infrastructure options and develop a build point of view *Working team* Document and share good website examples - what are some existing websites that we like and could be models for the DSN site? **Done:** Onboarding of Yue and Katrina to USDR and the DSN team Defined communications preferences (we will use Slack and shared documents when working asynchronously) Started documentation on site features and functions from the full team Completed the USDR scope of work to begin this project process --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://digital-service-network.gitbook.io/building-the-dsn-website/getting-started-on-the-digital-service-network-site.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.