# Service Patterns Avoid reinventing common service flows using service patterns which provide tested models of how transactional services typically work. Service patterns operate at two levels: **functional patterns** and **step patterns**.

### Functional patterns Functional patterns describe common end-to-end service journeys, such as: * Apply * Register * Request * Make a payment * Report * Book They show the typical stages of a service and how steps connect over time. Use functional patterns to: * Frame the overall journey * Identify essential stages * Avoid structural gaps They are starting points, not rigid templates. ### Step patterns Step patterns are steps that are reused across many journeys. Examples include: * Collect information * Verify identity * Upload documents * Match records * Calculate fees * Send notification Each step pattern includes guidance on purpose, content, user considerations, and technical implications. Use step patterns to help you: * Design consistent interactions * Align with building blocks * Reduce common usability errors ### How to use service patterns Service patterns support the [GovStack Implementation Playbook](https://app.gitbook.com/s/DLeKag4x9xUV26hiPlNo/implementation/design-service/2-designing-the-future-service-to-be). You can use them to: * Compare your **as-is** service against common structures * Assemble and adapt a **to-be** journey * Prototype faster with fewer unknowns * Align service design with architecture Patterns do not replace research or testing. They accelerate it. Start with a functional pattern, select the relevant step patterns, adapt them to your context, and validate through user testing.