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Guide Origin: Official | ArcKit Version: [VERSION]
This reference maps the major UK government functional standards, digital policies, and assurance frameworks that apply to technology-enabled services. It highlights how top-level GovS functional standards drive the application of specific guidance such as the Service Standard, Technology Code of Practice, AI Playbook, and security, commercial, and finance controls.
Relationship Overview
flowchart TD
GOVS001["GovS 001<br/>Government Functions"]
GOVS001 --> GOVS002["GovS 002<br/>Project Delivery"]
GOVS001 --> GOVS003["GovS 003<br/>People"]
GOVS001 --> GOVS004["GovS 004<br/>Property"]
GOVS001 --> GOVS005["GovS 005<br/>Digital"]
GOVS001 --> GOVS006["GovS 006<br/>Finance"]
GOVS001 --> GOVS007["GovS 007<br/>Security"]
GOVS001 --> GOVS008["GovS 008<br/>Commercial"]
GOVS001 --> GOVS009["GovS 009<br/>Internal Audit"]
GOVS001 --> GOVS010["GovS 010<br/>Analysis"]
GOVS001 --> GOVS011["GovS 011<br/>Communication"]
GOVS001 --> GOVS013["GovS 013<br/>Counter Fraud"]
GOVS001 --> GOVS014["GovS 014<br/>Debt"]
GOVS001 --> GOVS015["GovS 015<br/>Grants"]
GOVS002 --> HM_GREEN_BOOK["HM Treasury<br/>Green Book 5-Case Model"]
GOVS002 --> IPA_ASSURANCE["Infrastructure & Projects Authority<br/>GMPP / Project Assessment Review"]
GOVS002 --> GOVS006
HM_GREEN_BOOK --> MAGENTA_BOOK["HM Treasury<br/>Magenta Book (Evaluation)"]
HM_GREEN_BOOK --> ORANGE_BOOK["HM Treasury<br/>Orange Book (Risk)"]
GOVS010 --> AQUA_BOOK["HM Treasury<br/>AQuA Book (Analytical QA)"]
GOVS005 --> ROSE_BOOK["GOTT<br/>Rose Book (Knowledge Assets)"]
GOVS006 --> MANAGING_PUBLIC_MONEY["Managing Public Money"]
GOVS006 --> SPEND_CONTROLS["Cabinet Office Digital & Technology Spend Controls"]
GOVS008 --> SOURCING_PLAYBOOK["Sourcing & Construction Playbooks"]
GOVS008 --> DIGITAL_MARKETPLACE["Digital Marketplace<br/>G-Cloud & DOS"]
GOVS007 --> NCSC_CAF["NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework"]
GOVS007 --> CYBER_ESSENTIALS["Cyber Essentials Plus"]
GOVS007 --> UKG_SECURE_BY_DESIGN["UK Gov Secure by Design"]
GOVS007 --> DSP_GDSP["Defence:<br/>JSP 440 / JSP 604 / DCPP"]
UKG_SECURE_BY_DESIGN --> DPIA["Data Protection Impact Assessment (UK GDPR)"]
GOVS005 --> SERVICE_STANDARD["Government Service Standard"]
GOVS005 --> TCOP["Technology Code of Practice"]
GOVS005 --> DDaT_PLAYBOOK["DDaT Playbook & Service Manual"]
GOVS005 --> DATA_ETHICS["Data Ethics Framework"]
GOVS005 --> AI_PLAYBOOK["UK Government AI Playbook"]
AI_PLAYBOOK --> ATRS["Algorithmic Transparency<br/>Recording Standard"]
AI_PLAYBOOK --> JSP936["MOD JSP 936<br/>Dependable AI"]
SERVICE_STANDARD --> SERVICE_ASSESSMENT["Alpha / Beta / Live<br/>Service Assessments"]
SERVICE_STANDARD --> ACCESSIBILITY["WCAG 2.2 AA & Accessibility Regs"]
TCOP --> SPEND_CONTROLS
TCOP --> DIGITAL_MARKETPLACE
GOVS005 --> NDS["National Data Strategy"]
NDS --> NDL["National Data Library"]
NDS --> DQF["Government Data Quality Framework"]
GOVS010 --> DQF
GOVS013 --> COUNTER_FRAUD_FUN["GovS 013 Guidance & Fraud Functional Standard"]
Blue nodes (GovS) are functional standards published by the Cabinet Office. Grey nodes represent the downstream policies, playbooks, and assurance activities most relevant to digital delivery.
Lifecycle Application
| Delivery Stage | Mandatory / Expected Standards | Key Artefacts |
|---|---|---|
| Strategy & Discovery | GovS 005 (Digital), GovS 002 (Project Delivery), GovS 006 (Finance), GovS 008 (Commercial), National Data Strategy (if data project) | Problem definition, Strategic Outline Business Case (Green Book), stakeholder analysis, risk register, NDS mission alignment |
| Alpha | Service Standard (Points 1–7), Technology Code of Practice (baseline), Spend Controls gating, Secure by Design (context) | Alpha assessment pack, architecture principles, DPIA screening, sourcing strategy |
| Private/Public Beta | Service Standard (full 14 points), TCoP compliance, Secure by Design (controls), Cyber Essentials, NCSC CAF for hosting, G-Cloud/DOS procurement, Managing Public Money | Beta assessment evidence, detailed design reviews, procurement evaluation, security accreditation plan |
| Live | Ongoing Service Standard adherence, TCoP updates, spend control renewals, AI Playbook (if applicable), ATRS publication, JSP 936 (MOD AI), internal audit (GovS 009), fraud controls (GovS 013) | Live service assessment, operational metrics, transparency record, assurance logs |
| Operations & Improvement | Continuous improvement against functional standards, data ethics review, counter fraud and debt standards, accessibility monitoring | Service roadmap, quarterly compliance checks, audit trail, lessons learned |
Reference Links
- Functional Standards overview (GovS 001–GovS 015)
- Government Service Standard
- Technology Code of Practice
- UK Government Service Manual & DDaT Playbook
- UK Government AI Playbook
- Algorithmic Transparency Recording Standard Hub
- Secure by Design (NCSC collection)
- Cyber Assessment Framework
- Managing Public Money
- Sourcing and Consultancy Playbooks / Digital Marketplace
- HM Treasury Green Book
- HM Treasury Orange Book
- HM Treasury Magenta Book
- AQuA Book
- Rose Book (Knowledge Asset Management)
- UK National Data Strategy
- Government Data Quality Framework
Use this map when planning UK government digital or AI services to ensure the correct policies, approvals, and evidence are in scope from the outset.