The UK government has released updates to its Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) Playbook, outlining guidance and relevant considerations for entities dealing with DDaT projects in this fast-changing sector. The DDaT Playbook works in conjunction with other publications from the Cabinet Office Sourcing Programme, such as the Sourcing Playbook.
DDaT Playbook Background
The original publication, released in April 2022, focused on 11 key policies, including Effective Contracting and Legacy IT, and the recent update provides fresh considerations as the technology sector continues to evolve. The original 11 policies were designed by the Cabinet Office Sourcing Programme to transform how the UK government assesses, procures, and manages DDaT products and services.
The first version of the DDaT Playbook focused on a mixed model of DDaT procurement in which products and services are created, developed, and owned in-house while the government acts as the service integrator. Although the DDaT Playbook was designed to structure public and government-related implementation of DDaT projects, a significant portion of the policies apply to the public market at large.
New Content in Version 2
Version 2 of the DDaT Playbook builds on the original version by providing refined content relating to topics such as Innovation, Agile Delivery, and Sustainability. To ensure Agile Delivery of new DDaT data services, Version 2 emphasizes a focus on rapid iteration, which allows for the quick delivery of new ideas and innovations by building upon each successive iteration.
Effective iteration may involve strategic approaches such as trial programs and proofs of concept, test and learns, and a final test-state pilot. On the innovation side, contracting authorities are directed to find effective incentives to drive suppliers to innovate along the government’s Technology Readiness Scale.
Updates in Version 2
Although Version 1 of the DDaT Playbook dealt with Legacy IT and its effect on technological innovation, Version 2 turns toward the issue of Legacy IT with respect to sustainability. For example, Version 1 instructed contracting authorities to ensure that suppliers were capable of keeping products and services up to date for the sake of operability. In Version 2, contracting authorities are encouraged to consider organizational structure as it relates to both short-term outlay and long-term value for the sake of sustainability.
Key Takeaways for Commercial Entities
While the UK government’s playbook is directed at government contracting authorities, the guidance is shaped by general market forces and could be utilized in-house by companies dealing with DDaT services and products. Further, commercial companies contracting with the UK government will be involved in the practical implementation of Version 2 of the playbook, testing its real-life applicability and use.
Summer associate Cooper Attig contributed to this post.