# UK Government Codes of Practice — ArcKit Reference Guide > **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](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/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](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/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](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/knowledge-asset-management-in-government) (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](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/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) | ### DDaT Playbook Policy Reforms | 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 - [HM Treasury Green Book](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-green-book-appraisal-and-evaluation-in-central-government) - [HM Treasury Orange Book](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/orange-book) - [HM Treasury Magenta Book](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-magenta-book) - [AQuA Book](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-aqua-book) - [Rose Book (Knowledge Asset Management)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/knowledge-asset-management-in-government) - [Sourcing and Consultancy Playbooks](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-sourcing-and-consultancy-playbooks) - [Government Functional Standards](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/functional-standards)