# UK National Data Strategy — ArcKit Reference Guide > **Guide Origin**: Official | **ArcKit Version**: [VERSION] This guide maps the [UK National Data Strategy](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-national-data-strategy/national-data-strategy) (NDS) to ArcKit commands and artefacts. The NDS sets the government's vision for how data should be used, managed, and governed across the economy and public services. --- ## Five Missions | # | Mission | Description | ArcKit Commands | |---|---------|-------------|-----------------| | 1 | **Unlocking data value** | Use data to grow the economy, improve efficiency, and drive innovation | `/arckit:data-model`, `/arckit:data-mesh-contract`, `/arckit:backlog` | | 2 | **Pro-growth, trusted data regime** | Regulation and standards that enable data use while maintaining trust | `/arckit:dpia`, `/arckit:principles`, `/arckit:tcop` | | 3 | **Transforming government use of data** | Better data use for improved public services and decision-making | `/arckit:data-model`, `/arckit:strategy`, `/arckit:plan` | | 4 | **Secure, resilient data infrastructure** | Infrastructure that keeps data safe and available | `/arckit:secure`, `/arckit:hld-review`, `/arckit:operationalize` | | 5 | **International data flows** | Champion free and trusted data flows across borders | `/arckit:dpia` (cross-border transfer), `/arckit:data-mesh-contract` | --- ## Four Pillars | Pillar | Focus | ArcKit Evidence | |--------|-------|-----------------| | **Data Foundations** | Standards, metadata, interoperability, quality | `/arckit:data-model` (Data Quality Framework, entity catalogue, metadata standards) | | **Skills** | Data literacy, analytical capability across the workforce | `/arckit:stakeholders` (data governance roles), `/arckit:operationalize` (training) | | **Availability** | Findability, access, sharing, open data | `/arckit:data-mesh-contract` (data product contracts, SLAs), `/arckit:data-model` (CRUD matrix) | | **Responsibility** | Ethics, governance, public trust, accountability | `/arckit:dpia` (privacy impact), `/arckit:principles` (data governance principles), `/arckit:risk` | --- ## Mission-to-Artefact Crosswalk This table shows which ArcKit artefacts provide evidence for each NDS mission during assurance reviews. | NDS Mission | Artefact | What It Evidences | |-------------|----------|-------------------| | Mission 1 (Value) | Data Model (`ARC-*-DATA`) | Structured data assets, quality metrics, governance roles | | Mission 1 (Value) | Data Mesh Contract (`ARC-*-DMC`) | Federated data products with SLAs and quality guarantees | | Mission 2 (Trust) | DPIA (`ARC-*-DPIA`) | Lawful basis, privacy risks, data subject rights | | Mission 2 (Trust) | Architecture Principles (`ARC-000-PRIN`) | Data governance and ethical data use principles | | Mission 3 (Government) | Strategy (`ARC-*-STGY`) | Data strategy aligned to organisational objectives | | Mission 3 (Government) | Plan (`ARC-*-PLAN`) | Milestones for data capability improvements | | Mission 4 (Security) | Secure Assessment (`ARC-*-SECD`) | CAF assessment, data protection controls (S3, B3) | | Mission 5 (International) | DPIA (`ARC-*-DPIA`) | Cross-border data transfer safeguards | --- ## NDS Pillar Checklist Use this checklist when reviewing ArcKit artefacts for NDS alignment. ### Data Foundations - [ ] Data standards defined (naming, formats, reference data) - [ ] Metadata captured for all entities (data dictionary/catalogue) - [ ] Interoperability requirements documented (APIs, open standards) - [ ] Data quality dimensions defined with measurable targets - [ ] Data quality monitoring and remediation process in place ### Skills - [ ] Data ownership roles assigned (Owner, Steward, Custodian) - [ ] Data literacy requirements identified for key stakeholders - [ ] Training plan for data governance processes ### Availability - [ ] Data access controls defined (CRUD matrix) - [ ] Data sharing agreements documented (internal/external) - [ ] Data products defined with SLAs (if data mesh architecture) - [ ] Open data obligations assessed ### Responsibility - [ ] DPIA completed for personal data processing - [ ] Data ethics considerations documented - [ ] Data governance accountability clear (RACI) - [ ] Public trust and transparency measures in place - [ ] Data retention and disposal policies defined --- ## National Data Library The [National Data Library](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-data-library-progress-update-january-2026/national-data-library-progress-update-january-2026) (backed by DSIT investment) aims to make key government datasets discoverable and AI-ready. Projects building government data platforms should consider: - **AI Readiness**: Are datasets structured for machine learning consumption? - **Discoverability**: Are data products catalogued with standard metadata? - **Interoperability**: Do data contracts use open standards for cross-department sharing? These considerations are captured in `/arckit:data-model` (metadata, quality) and `/arckit:data-mesh-contract` (data products, SLAs). --- ## Relationship to Other Standards | Standard | Relationship to NDS | |----------|---------------------| | **Data Quality Framework** | Operational tool for NDS Data Foundations pillar | | **GovS 005: Digital** | Sibling policy — digital delivery standards (TCoP, Service Standard) | | **GovS 010: Analysis** | Data quality and analytical standards supporting NDS Missions 1 and 3 | | **UK GDPR / Data Protection Act** | Legal framework underpinning NDS Responsibility pillar | | **Technology Code of Practice** | Point 8 (Share, reuse, collaborate) directly supports NDS Availability | | **AI Playbook** | AI-readiness requirements build on NDS Data Foundations | --- ## References - [UK National Data Strategy](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-national-data-strategy/national-data-strategy) - [NDS Monitoring & Evaluation Framework](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-data-strategy-monitoring-and-evaluation-update/national-data-strategy-monitoring-and-evaluation-framework) - [National Data Library Progress Update (January 2026)](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-data-library-progress-update-january-2026/national-data-library-progress-update-january-2026) - [Government Data Quality Framework](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-government-data-quality-framework) - [GDS Data Standards](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/data-standards-for-government)