Better Designed.
Faster to Solution.
Safer to Operate.
The VA Way
The VA Way is a unified, structured approach that integrates people, processes, and technology to drive excellence in the Office of Information and Technology’s (OIT) software delivery operations.
The VA Way provides guidance for OIT teams developing and delivering IT products and solutions. By prioritizing work based on impact, focusing on operational excellence, listening to end users, and empowering our workforce, OIT can maximize our effectiveness and ensure we’re delivering impactful solutions for Veterans and the VA employees who serve them.
Introduction
The VA Way Playbook
The VA Way Playbook is the starting point for all OIT staff to integrate the VA Way into your work. Access the information, resources, and tools using the top navigation, or by clicking through the OIT Digital Transformation Priorities below.
The VA Way is built on the four OIT Digital Transformation Priorities, ensuring each action aligns with these priorities. Click the boxes below to read more about the VA Way Attributes that support each Priority.
Under each Attribute, you will find best practices, helpful questions, and use cases to guide your work, as well as detailed Runbooks and training to help you build key capabilities.
The VA Way and OIT’s Digital Transformation Priorities
Vision-Driven Execution
We collaborate on a shared vision, balancing user feedback, business outcomes, and technical strategy to deliver solutions that meet current needs while paving the way for future innovation.
Operational Excellence
We are focused on reusing shared solutions, fostering a learning culture of continuous improvement, and ensuring security is built into every product by making sure teams have access to the tools and resources needed to deliver secure, efficient, and scalable solutions for Veterans.
Exceptional User Experiences
We build trust by incorporating user feedback into every decision, ensuring our products are accessible, reliable, and exceed expectations.
People
Excellence
We invest in our teams by fostering communities of expertise and providing the resources and training needed for continuous learning and growth.
Help Improve the VA Way
The VA Way is always evolving as we deliver technology in a changing environment, and we need you to help shape it!
As we continuously improve and refine the VA Way, your expertise and input will ensure that every team member has the tools, systems, and support they need to contribute effectively to VA’s mission.
Do you have an idea for a new runbook or training, or a suggestion to improve this Playbook? Contact us to share your feedback.
Our Key Initiatives
Playbook
Explore the starting point for integrating the VA Way into your work.
Product Delivery
Access the go-to hub for OIT product managers to learn and share insights on the VA Way of product management.
Software Factory Model
Discover tools and methods for delivering fast, innovative, and secure software solutions for Veterans.
Catalog of Developer Essentials (CODE VA)
View technical documentation and self-service activation for shared services and approved software delivery platforms.
Design VA
Create trustworthy, accessible, and consistent digital services with VA-specific guidelines and code.
Architect VA
Access Architecture & Engineering Services strategies, tools, and guidelines to deliver smart, secure, and innovative technology solutions.
Find Your Way
Explore the resources below to learn more about the VA Way and how to integrate it in your team.
Runbook Library:
Access all current Runbooks from the VA Way Playbook in one place.
Visit the Runbook
VA Way One-Pager:
Read this one-pager to understand the background of the VA Way.
Visit the VA Way One-Pager
Communications Toolkit:
This toolkit contains all the resources for OIT communications professionals and team leads to communicate the VA Way to their organization and individual teams.
Visit the Communication Toolkit
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the VA Way a new concept? How much training will I or my team need?
The VA Way is not a new concept—it’s how we’ve always strived to serve Veterans. The VA Way was born from the need to bring siloed efforts and processes into one cohesive framework and builds on the Office of Information and Technology’s (OIT) Guiding Principles of transparency, accountability, innovation, and teamwork and draws on our Digital Transformation Priorities, Software Factory Model, and Digital Service Playbook to drive the adoption of best practices, streamline operations, improve service delivery, and connect individual contributions to a central mission. We will share training materials as they are available.
How does the VA Way help me do my job?
The VA Way provides a path for your team to incorporate transparency, accountability, innovation, and teamwork into every aspect of your operations. By streamlining our operations and aligning every action and decision to enhance Veterans’ lives, we ensure you can focus on what matters most—delivering better, faster, and safer solutions to Veterans.
How can we self-organize to take advantage of existing meetings or efforts to promote or contribute to the VA Way?
Documenting your efforts and processes and sharing those through the VA Way communication and training mechanisms will help standardize the good work already being done and expanding our influence across OIT.
Is the VA Way a one-time thing?
The VA Way is a continuous journey of improvement. It will adapt based on team feedback, organizational needs, and changes in technology to remain relevant and effective. Over the next year, efforts will focus on standardization, documentation, and embedding VA Way principles into daily operations through continuous improvement and feedback.
How do I provide feedback or ask questions about the VA Way?
The VA Way is continuously evolving, and we need your help to shape it. Share your feedback with us through quarterly Voice of the OIT Employee Surveys, office hours, or by contacting the VA Way team.
