Defra AI SDLC Playbook

Version 1.6

This playbook shows you how to use AI tools in software development. We designed it for Defra teams and update it regularly with new practices and lessons learned.

Table of Contents

1. Welcome
2. Responsible Practices
   1. Ethics
   2. Sustainability
3. Getting Started
   1. Workflow
   2. The Four Pillars
   3. Mindset
   4. Project Setup
4. Feature Development
   1. Product Requirements
   2. Development
   3. Test Driven Development
   4. Testing
   5. Refactoring
   6. Documentation
5. Appendix
   1. Prompt Library
   2. Rules for AI
   3. Allowed Tools for Defra Pilot
   4. Contributing

Overview

Defra manages environmental protection, food production and rural development across the UK. The department works through multiple sub-departments and arms-length bodies. Each has different roles and ways of working.

Defra’s size and complexity create opportunities to use AI throughout software development. This playbook helps you use these opportunities through practical methods, tools and techniques.

Contact Us

The Defra AI Capabilities and Enablement team maintains this playbook. Contact us:

• Through the #ask-ace slack channel on Defra slack (“grey slack”)
• Via Steve Dickinson, Principal Software Developer (CCTS AI and Innovation)

Contributing

We welcome contributions from the Defra community. See the CONTRIBUTING file for how to contribute to this playbook.