In Service: Notes from the Field
Tactical insights and thoughtful dispatches from inside the work.
Explore by topic
We write regularly about the ideas, tools, and practices shaping better public systems. View all blog posts or browse posts by theme to dig into the topics that matter most to you.
What is service design, really?
Service design helps teams make sense of complexity—connecting the dots between people, policies, and processes to deliver thoughtful, effective public services. In this post, we unpack what service design is, why it matters, and how it supports real-world change.
What we mean by “public service”
Not all public service should be celebrated. In this post, we share what we mean by public service—acknowledging past harms while standing with those who show up to build care-centered, community-rooted systems for the future.
Boundary spanning
Discover why boundary spanning—connecting people, ideas, and systems—is essential for solving complex public service challenges and leading across silos.
Explore the Civic Glossary
Making public service easier to understand—one concept at a time.
Government and public service rely on ideas, systems, and terminology that aren't always easy to navigate. The Civic Glossary explains the concepts that shape public life through clear, accessible articles grounded in history, practice, and real-world examples.
Collaborate
Explore what’s possible with the right expertise.