Paul Smith
Paul Smith's blog posts
A look under the hood of the new student loan debt relief application
As we did with covidtests.gov, let’s take a quick look and see what we can learn about the implementation of this application from a systems design perspective.
Examining the covidtests.gov architecture
A day early, the Biden Administration has quietly launched the new website that allows households to order four COVID-19 rapid antigen tests.
Embarrassingly automatable as the first step of legacy modernization
Perhaps it’s time for an equivalent of Maslow’s classic hierarchy of needs, but for legacy modernization projects.
Why Ad Hoc is offering free COVID-19 vaccination consulting
We're offering an hour of free consultation to any U.S. government operating a COVID-19 vaccination website or mobile app. There’s no catch, just contact us, and we’ll help you.
Getting ready for launch
Launches can be unpredictable. Having a plan for launch can help you focus on that which you can control and set you up to recover more quickly should things go wrong.
Imagining an app to simplify student loan forgiveness
What’s needed is a simple, purpose-built website to help borrowers apply for loan forgiveness, and help them stay enrolled in payment programs.
Validating business rules and building confidence through tests
Digital transformation or legacy modernization efforts, while motivated by concerns such as finances, new technology, or shifting priorities, can be risky endeavors from a logistical perspective, and are often dominated by the needs of operations.
Stop your (business rules) engines!
One of the many surprising artifacts of the initial failed HealthCare.gov launch was a “business rules engine.” This was a new concept for most of the team that helped rescue the site.
The HealthCare.gov rescue
In the days following the initial launch of HealthCare.gov, Greg Gershman and Paul Smith, who would eventually go on to found Ad Hoc, joined a group gathered to rescue the site.