Services and resources

The Digital Analytics Program (DAP) is the federal government’s mandated public facing website analytics initiative. The General Services Administration (GSA) manages the DAP.

2. Use Analytics and User Feedback to Manage Websites and Digital Services

All public facing websites and digital services should be designed around user needs with data driven analysis influencing management and development decisions. Agencies should use qualitative and quantitative data to determine user goals, needs, and behaviors, and continually test websites and digital services to ensure that user needs are addressed.

  • A. All agencies must participate in the General Service Administration’s (GSA) Digital Analytics Program (DAP) and deploy the DAP tracking code on all public facing agency websites. The DAP provides agencies with free quantitative analytics to inform website management. Participation in the DAP does not preclude agencies from using other analytics programs.
  • B. GSA will maintain a public listing of the domains participating in the DAP and track agency compliance on the DotGov Dashboard.

View the full text of M-17-06 [PDF, 1.2 MB]

Currently, the DAP uses the enterprise version of Google Analytics to provide government agencies advanced metrics for public facing websites.

Participating in the program

Any executive branch federal agency can sign up to use the common Web analytics tool. Here’s how it works:

  • Agency Digital Strategy lead will identify a point of contact (POC) who will manage their Web analytics account.
  • GSA will send the agency POC a short, sign-up form to register their agency and work with them to implement the common page tag code.
  • GSA will provide implementation support, access to training, and other resources to agency POCs.

View the most common questions about the program and learn more about incorporating the Digital Analytics Tool into your current metrics program.

VA point of contact

For additional information and access related questions, please contact the VA DAP Administrative POC.

Adding the Script for Google Analytics

Currently, all public facing websites using the VA Enterprise Content Management Systems have the necessary script included.

If you are a website owner and your website does not use VA Enterprise Content Management Systems, you are responsible for implementing the code yourself. There are two ways to add the script:

  • DAP Hosted, Secure Source
    The DAP program provides a centrally hosted version of the script that will be updated automatically. This is the preferred method.
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  • Self-Hosted
    Alternatively, you can download the code from the GSA GitHub Repository and host it within your own website. You or your developers will be responsible for keeping it current.

Accessing Google analytics

As a VA employee or contractor with a VA.gov email address, you may access the VA’s account within the DAP implementation of Google Analytics. To establish an account and to gain access follow the instructions on the OIT intranet website ()VA Staff only.

If you have additional access related questions, contact the VA DAP Administrative POC.

Resources

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