Guidance

Digital Readiness Check

Updated 13 March 2024

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/digital-readiness-check/digital-readiness-check

These questions are for use by policymakers and others working in multidisciplinary teams on new policies or initiatives in government. The questions are designed to ensure that new and existing policy can be implemented effectively through modern digital delivery channels.

You can contact CDDO about the digital readiness check by emailing: digitalfunction@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk.

1. Ensure clear, simple and unambiguous rules

  • Has policy and legislation been drafted so as to minimise discretionary assessments and maximise the use of logical rules, using clear, simple, unambiguous and consistent terms?
  • Is there a clear distinction between general rules and exceptions?
  • Has your policy and legislation been developed through engagement and collaborative design with users?
  • Have you tested the policy and rules with a wide range of stakeholders involved in implementing them, and adapted in response to their feedback?
  • Have options for automating the delivery of the policy objective - in full or in part - been explored?

2. Assume digital delivery by default

  • Does the necessary legal basis exist for digital interaction between citizens and businesses and the public sector in the delivery of the policy objective?
  • Is legislation worded so as to allow for future technological development, meaning that it is technology-neutral?
  • Are there points in the process where in-person or on-paper interactions might be foreseen or presumed, and have these been challenged?
  • Will the policy be implemented in a way that complies with accessibility laws and standards?
  • Have you secured the input and sign-off of your department’s digital leadership in preparing policy advice and legislation?

3. Plan for interoperability, sharing and reuse of data

  • Can data already collected by public authorities be reused to enable the delivery of the policy outcome?
  • Have any presumptions of new data collection been challenged and alternative options explored?
  • Have you engaged with central government standards, guidance and initiatives on the use of data in government?
  • Have you presumed in favour of using data sharing powers under Part 5 of the Digital Economy Act 2017? If additional powers are required, have you engaged with the Central Digital and Data Office to explore options?
  • Has safe and secure data handling been incorporated, including protection of personal data, in consultation with relevant experts?

4. Use existing, common infrastructure

  • Will existing digital infrastructure be used rather than separate, proprietary solutions?
  • Have any proposals for or assumptions of new infrastructure been challenged and minimised?
  • Could benefits be realised through integration with existing/related policy delivery levers and infrastructure?

These principles should be used in conjunction with other central sources of guidance, including the Digital Functional Standard, the Service Standard, the Technology Code of Practice, the Data Maturity Assessment for Government and the Data Standards Authority.

You can contact CDDO about the digital readiness check by emailing: digitalfunction@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk.

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