Guide Origin: Official | ArcKit Version: [VERSION]
This guide maps HM Treasury and Cabinet Office codes of practice to ArcKit commands and artefacts. These publications — informally known as the "Rainbow of Books" — set expectations for evaluation, analytical quality, knowledge asset management, and commercial procurement across government.
The Rainbow of Books
| Book |
Publisher |
Purpose |
ArcKit Coverage |
| Green Book |
HM Treasury |
Appraisal and evaluation of policies, programmes, and projects |
/arckit:sobc (5-case model), /arckit:finops |
| Orange Book |
HM Treasury |
Risk management principles and concepts |
/arckit:risk (risk register) |
| Magenta Book |
HM Treasury |
Evaluation design — scoping, designing, and conducting evaluations |
/arckit:sobc (benefits realisation), /arckit:plan |
| AQuA Book |
HM Treasury / Analysis Function |
Analytical quality assurance — producing robust analysis |
/arckit:analyze, /arckit:data-model |
| Rose Book |
GOTT |
Knowledge asset management — identifying, protecting, and exploiting IP |
/arckit:strategy, /arckit:principles, /arckit:data-model |
Commercial Playbooks
| Playbook |
Publisher |
Purpose |
ArcKit Coverage |
| Sourcing Playbook |
Cabinet Office |
Procurement strategy, market assessment, should-cost modelling |
/arckit:dos, /arckit:sow, /arckit:evaluate |
| Consultancy Playbook |
Cabinet Office |
When to use consultants, knowledge transfer, value for money |
/arckit:sow, /arckit:research |
| DDaT Playbook |
Cabinet Office |
Digital procurement policy reforms, open standards, interoperability |
/arckit:dos, /arckit:tcop |
Magenta Book — Evaluation Design
The Magenta Book provides guidance on designing and conducting evaluations of government policies and programmes.
Key Concepts
| Concept |
Description |
ArcKit Artefact |
| Theory of Change |
Logic model linking inputs → activities → outputs → outcomes → impact |
/arckit:sobc (Strategic Case, benefits chain) |
| Proportionality |
Match evaluation effort to spend, risk, and novelty |
/arckit:sobc (Management Case) |
| Process evaluation |
Assess how a programme is being implemented |
/arckit:service-assessment |
| Impact evaluation |
Assess whether the programme caused observed outcomes |
/arckit:sobc (benefits realisation) |
| Value-for-money evaluation |
Assess efficiency and cost-effectiveness |
/arckit:finops, /arckit:sobc (Economic Case) |
When to Apply
- Discovery/Alpha: Define evaluation questions and Theory of Change
- Beta: Establish baseline data and process evaluation
- Live: Conduct impact and value-for-money evaluations
- Post-implementation: Benefits realisation review
AQuA Book — Analytical Quality Assurance
The AQuA Book provides guidance on producing quality analysis for government. It defines an analytical lifecycle and quality assurance roles.
Analytical Lifecycle
| Stage |
Description |
ArcKit Artefact |
| Scope |
Define the question and analytical approach |
/arckit:requirements (analytical requirements) |
| Design |
Select methods, data sources, assumptions |
/arckit:data-model (data sources, quality) |
| Conduct |
Perform the analysis |
/arckit:analyze |
| Communicate |
Present findings clearly with caveats |
/arckit:analyze (output document) |
| Review |
Independent assurance of the analysis |
/arckit:hld-review (peer review pattern) |
QA Roles
| Role |
Responsibility |
| Commissioner |
Defines the question and approves the approach |
| Analyst |
Conducts the analysis and documents methodology |
| Analytical Assurer |
Independent review of quality and fitness for purpose |
Verification vs Validation
- Verification: Is the analysis error-free? (correct calculations, code, data handling)
- Validation: Is the analysis fit for purpose? (answers the right question, appropriate method)
Rose Book — Knowledge Asset Management
The Rose Book (v2, March 2024) provides guidance on identifying, valuing, and managing knowledge assets in government.
Five Knowledge Asset Categories
| Category |
Examples |
ArcKit Touch Point |
| Research |
Publications, datasets, methodologies |
/arckit:data-model (data assets) |
| Data |
Databases, registers, statistical collections |
/arckit:data-model, /arckit:data-mesh-contract |
| Content |
Digital services, websites, apps |
/arckit:strategy (digital assets) |
| Software |
Code, algorithms, AI models |
/arckit:principles (open source policy) |
| IP / Know-how |
Patents, trademarks, trade secrets, expertise |
/arckit:principles (IP/reuse principles) |
Knowledge Asset Register
Projects creating significant knowledge assets should maintain a register covering:
- Asset description and category
- Owner and steward
- IP protection status (patent, copyright, open source)
- Valuation approach (market-based, cost-based, income-based)
- Exploitation pathway (licensing, spin-out, open publication, partnership)
- Reuse potential for other government departments
Commercial Playbooks — Procurement
The Sourcing and Consultancy Playbooks set expectations for government procurement.
Sourcing Playbook Key Actions
| Action |
Description |
ArcKit Artefact |
| Market assessment |
Understand the supplier landscape and capability |
/arckit:research (market research) |
| Should-cost modelling |
Estimate realistic costs before procurement |
/arckit:sobc (Financial Case) |
| Outcome-based specs |
Define what, not how — focus on outcomes |
/arckit:dos (outcome description), /arckit:sow |
| Social value |
Minimum 10% weighting in evaluation |
/arckit:evaluate (evaluation criteria) |
| SME access |
Ensure opportunities are accessible to SMEs |
/arckit:dos (lot structure) |
| KPIs and contract management |
Define measurable performance indicators |
/arckit:sow (SLA and acceptance criteria) |
| Reform |
Description |
ArcKit Artefact |
| Open standards |
Use open data and interface standards |
/arckit:principles, /arckit:tcop |
| Interoperability |
Avoid lock-in, ensure portability |
/arckit:hld-review |
| Modular contracting |
Break large programmes into smaller contracts |
/arckit:dos (lot structure) |
| User-centred |
Procurement driven by user needs |
/arckit:requirements, /arckit:service-assessment |
Delivery Lifecycle Mapping
| Phase |
Applicable Books |
Key ArcKit Commands |
| Strategy & Discovery |
Green Book, Magenta Book (evaluation questions), Sourcing Playbook (market assessment) |
/arckit:sobc, /arckit:research, /arckit:stakeholders |
| Alpha |
AQuA Book (analytical design), Rose Book (asset identification), DDaT Playbook |
/arckit:analyze, /arckit:principles, /arckit:dos |
| Beta |
Magenta Book (baseline data), AQuA Book (QA review), Sourcing Playbook (procurement) |
/arckit:evaluate, /arckit:sow, /arckit:data-model |
| Live |
Magenta Book (impact evaluation), Orange Book (ongoing risk), Commercial Playbooks (contract management) |
/arckit:finops, /arckit:risk, /arckit:operationalize |
| Post-implementation |
Green Book (benefits review), Magenta Book (VfM evaluation), Rose Book (exploitation) |
/arckit:sobc (benefits realisation), /arckit:strategy |
References