As more public sector organisations are experimenting with chatbots (automated assistants) and webchats (human-to-human interactions), there is a need to share our knowledge and experiences with each other.
The Government Digital Service (GDS) Technology Policy team set up an event that involved:
- presentations on user journeys, development and service design
- testing current chatbots and webchat applications
- discussions and networking
Ministry of Justice - ‘when words are not enough’
Carolina Pizatto, a service designer from the User Centred Policy Design team, spoke about their recent trials for child arrangements with chatbots, and audio and video formats. She helped us understand that most users who interact with the justice system are often in a moment of crisis.
Users in crisis might not engage with text-heavy content in the same way they would if they were not in a moment of high stress. Using alternative formats like chatbots or webchat may help in these stressful situations.
Carolina highlighted the importance of managing users’ expectations and continuous user testing in developing chatbots that meet user needs, especially for more vulnerable users.
DVLA - webchat and chatbot projects
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) currently has one of the largest webchat and chatbot projects on GOV.UK. They won a CCA Award for Best Use of Technology in 2017 for their contact centre.
Robert Holohan and Benjamin Hixson, both customer focus managers, talked us through how they developed their webchat platform from handling one service to now supporting four main online services, including Tax a Vehicle Online.
They’ve now rolled out their chatbot across all webchat services. This has helped reduce chat handling time and chat abandonment in their queues. One of their best practice recommendations was to take time to develop natural language processing by starting small and simple.
HMRC - an interactive guidance "village"
Citizens who interact with HMRC often have broad and complex user needs that can range from managing tax credits to income tax enquiries.
To support their users, Micheal Ashinze and Dave Johnson described how they’re developing an interactive guidance service ecology. They are testing with chatbots and webchats to direct users to the quickest and most efficient route to solve their problems.
HMRC is aiming to launch a cross-directorate team to support the millions of users who will use the interactive guidance to access HMRC’s services.
‘Testing the bots’ and developing best practice
During the day attendees were given the opportunity to judge the projects themselves. We then talked about best practice when developing chatbots and webchat platforms. The group agreed that it’s important to:
- set user expectations as early as possible
- create a knowledge base to draw from
- provide ‘escape routes’ or alternative means of communication for users who are stuck
- keep design patterns as close to GOV.UK style as possible
- give reassurance, not only guidance and information
- build interactive conversations but do not duplicate information
- design for scenarios, not questions
- respond to specific situations
- continuously user test
Get in touch
The Technology Policy team held this event as an opportunity to understand how departments are using these technologies, and how we could provide support through developing guidance or by holding similar events.
So if you’re working on chatbots or webchat, we’re keen to hear about your experiences. You can email the GDS tech policy team directly or leave a comment below.
Join our Slack channel
If you’re currently working on either chatbots or webchat and would like to connect with others, join the new cross-government digital Slack group #chatbots-webchat and share your story.
8 comments
Comment by Emlyn Nash posted on
Hi, HOw would LAs sign up to the slack group?
Comment by Amina posted on
Hi Emlyn,
Does your work email have a gov.uk domain? If so, you can make an account and sign up to the cross-gov slack. If not then I would need to make a request for you domain (if it complies with rules) to be accepted, so please email the GDS technology policy team.
Best wishes,
Comment by Emlyn Nash posted on
Hi - How do I do that? I'm on slack but can't find a cross-gov slack?
Comment by khidr posted on
Hi Emlyn - try this link - https://ukgovernmentdigital.slack.com/
Comment by Emlyn Nash posted on
Hi - I have a local gov account e.g. Cardiff.gov.uk this isn't listed as an option to create an account?
Comment by khidr posted on
I have sent an invite - so hopefully you should get that soon.
Comment by Emlyn Nash posted on
Hi Sorry, no invite received. Thanks
Comment by khidr posted on
The invite has been approved now.