Simple spec sheet or checklist for non-technical stakeholders #36
Description
Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
We need a lightweight way for non-technical team members (content leads, project managers, etc.) to communicate their content vision to developers using USWDS—especially for small projects that don’t have full mockups or Figma files.
The challenge:
- Stakeholders want to use USWDS for a simple one-page site or microsite.
- They don’t have the time, tools, or skills to create detailed design specs (Figma, color codes, spacing, etc.).
- Developers need clear, actionable requirements to implement the vision using USWDS standards.
Describe the solution you'd like
Can we create a simple “USWDS spec sheet” or checklist that a non-technical person can fill out and hand off to a developer?
- Should include basic choices for layout, color themes, typography, and components (with links to USWDS docs/examples).
- Should help bridge the gap between vision and implementation, without requiring design tools.
Consider scenarios for page types with specific components and patterns.
Describe alternatives you've considered
Are there currently official resources for this? Prefer gathering those links and packing in a way that it makes sense.
Additional context
- How and when does the component library get updated, and what’s the process for suggestions?
- Why does a standard like USWDS matter, and does it translate to public sector sites?
- Is there a spec sheet that a non technical person could point a technical person towards, to bring a content vision to life using USWDS?
I'm thinking for small, maybe just one page projects who want to use USWDS but may not have the resources to fully design out a figma with dev specs including color codes, padding conventions, margin details device variances, etc