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https://governmenttechnology.blog.gov.uk/2015/03/26/updating-the-technology-code-of-practice/

Updating the Technology Code of Practice

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Reform

Chad Bond

My name is Chad Bond, I’m the Service Manager for the Reform team within the Office for the Chief Technology Officer in Government Digital Service (GDS). One of the things the Reform team manages is the Digital and Technology spend controls on behalf of Her Majesty’s Treasury.

In November 2013, we introduced the Technology Code of Practice (TCoP). This was to meet the needs of civil servants who needed one place to start to find information on the best way to design, buy and build the technology and digital services to meet user needs.

Technology is rapidly changing, Government is following suit and so must our guidance. For example, the introduction of Crown Hosting Services changes the way the whole of government manages their current hosting if it cannot move to the cloud. We wanted to make sure the TCoP was updated to reflect the fact that we shouldn’t be building any new data centres any more. As we looked across the TCoP we found that it hadn’t been kept as up to date as it should. These changes were discussed and agreed by the cross government Technology Leaders’ Network, who reconfirmed their commitment to this code of practice and agreed that it will be used to assess spend control decisions.

We have:

  • Brought information in line with current guidance
  • Updated links that were pointing to missing or archived materials
  • Split out Open Standards and Platforms into two separate points
  • Simplified guidance around Procurement and End User Devices
  • Included Crown Hosting
  • Added info on ‘Red Lines’

The Reform team has now taken ownership of the TCoP and we will review it on a much more regular basis and issue further updates as necessary.

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2 comments

  1. Comment by Gareth Ricketts posted on

    As a potential provider of technology services to HMG, is it the case that all HMG procurement is governed by the TCoP?

    • Replies to Gareth Ricketts>

      Comment by Raphaelle Heaf posted on

      Thanks Gareth.

      The Technology Code of Practice is more the principles that underpins what new government technology should be aligned to. From the perspective of a potential provider of technology services, it's worth looking more in to the Digital Marketplace.