Technology Transformation Services PRA Navigator

Welcome to TTS PRA Navigator!

TTS PRA Navigator helps guide UX Researchers to the right PRA information at the right time. We're here to help you navigate PRA whenever you need to do user research here at TTS.

Get started

  • New to PRA?

    We recommend you begin by familiarizing yourself with the basics of PRA and how this law may affect you and your work as a researcher here at TTS.

    Explore PRA

  • Not sure if you need PRA clearance?

    We can help you determine whether you need PRA clearance for your research or connect you with someone who can help.

    Find out

  • Ready to get PRA clearance?

    If you already know you will need PRA clearance for your research, we can walk you through the steps to get it.

    Get PRA clearance

Overview of the user research process at TTS

  1. Create your research plan

    First, you need to plan your user research! Consider your goals and whether the research will be generative (defining direction or shape of a product) or evaluative (defining improvements and opportunities). To get started, 18F offers some useful guidance for planning your research.

    Recruit participants. If you already have participants, you can skip this step. Decide who your participants will be and how you will recruit them. Learn more about PRA considerations for RECRUITMENT.

    Decide on research method(s). 18F offers guidance on how and when to use specific research methods. In general, qualitative user research methods that involve direct observation and non-standardized conversations will likely not require PRA clearance. Learn more about PRA considerations for RESEARCH.

  2. Find out if you need PRA clearance

    Depending on the nature of your research activities, you may need PRA clearance. The need for PRA clearance is determined by several factors, including:

    Who you will collect information from: whether you will have 10 or more participants (over a 12 month period) and whether participants are members of the public or federal employees.

    How you will collect that information: whether your research activities are "standardized" (i.e posing a set of "identical questions") and whether your research activities involve "direct observation" (i.e. "visual inspection" of participant activities)

    This section will help you find out whether your recruitment and/or research activities require clearance, or connect you with someone who can help you answer that question, if further clarification is needed. Find out if you need PRA clearance for recruitment, research, or both.

  3. Get PRA clearance (if needed)

    If you do need to get PRA clearance, never fear! Most qualitative user research activities at TTS will be able to go through the Fast-Track process (also known as A-11 Section 280), which generally takes 1-2 weeks.

    Fast-Track (A-11 Section 280) process overview

    1. Build a clearance request package. Fill out an Information Collection Request (ICR) form with details of your research activities and attach any relevant documents.
    2. Send for pre-review. Send the completed package to OMB's CX PRA Desk Officer for pre-review.
    3. Make edits. Make any necessary edits to the package.
    4. Send for final review. Submit finalized package to GSA's PRA Desk Officer.
    5. Get approval. A PRA Reviewer at OMB will review your request and approve it.

    Find out how to get PRA clearance.

  4. Do research!

    Once you get PRA clearance, you are free to proceed with your research. Thank you for what you do to improve government digital services, and happy connecting with the public!