Digital work across New York State often involves a shared challenge: organizing information in a way that makes sense to the people who need it. Whether it’s a website, service page, or application, how content is structured directly impacts how easily users can find what they’re looking for. At the May 1 and May 7, 2026 NYS Digital Innovation Lab sessions, agency staff came together to explore collaborative approaches to improving digital navigation and content organization through card sorting.
The NYS Digital Service hosted two sessions of the NYS Digital Innovation Lab focused on card sorting, bringing together agency staff in Albany and New York City for a collaborative, hands on workshop.
The first session took place on May 1 in Albany, followed by a second session on May 7 in New York City. Across both locations, participants from a range of agencies came together to share perspectives and work through a common challenge, how to better organize digital content for users.
Card sorting is a user research method that helps teams understand how people naturally group information. Rather than relying on assumptions, it invites participants to organize content in ways that feel intuitive, providing valuable insight into how navigation and structure should be designed.
This lab emphasized collaboration and learning by doing. Participants began by building a shared understanding of card sorting and when it can be applied. They then took part in a guided activity, working in groups to sort and categorize content, compare approaches, and discuss the reasoning behind their decisions.
As patterns emerged, the conversation shifted to how these insights translate into real-world improvements. Participants explored how card sorting can inform website navigation, strengthen content organization, and make it easier for users to find what they need.
The workshop also created space for agencies to reflect on their own digital products. Through discussion and shared examples, participants identified opportunities to apply these techniques in their daily work by rethinking how information is presented.
Like other Innovation Labs, the session highlighted the value of bringing colleagues together across agencies. By collaborating, sharing ideas, and working through challenges as a group, participants left with practical tools and a clearer understanding of how to design more intuitive digital experiences.
New York State employees can stay involved by signing up for future labs and submitting topic ideas through the feedback form. Materials from previous sessions are also available for anyone who wants to learn more or revisit the conversations.