Skip to content

General principles

Don't re-invent the wheel

We adopt standards, guidance and approaches that are already in use in the industry or elsewhere in government

Do the minimum necessary

We only develop guidance and standards where there is a rationale for it

  • This accords with the general principle of keep it simple
  • We don't needlessly constrain work by creating unnecessary standards
  • It saves us effort

Start small

We create a minimum viable product and then iteratively improve it

  • We quickly see if something works
  • It is easier to respond when things change
  • It prevents us from trying to predict the future
  • It helps us do the minimum necessary

Be open

We work in the open, providing the maximum amount of access possible

Minimise work in progress

We don't try to do too much at once

  • It's better to have one thing that can be used than many that can't

Be reasonable

We understand that standards represent a snapshot of our best understanding at a point in time and we explicitly articulate this in all of our standards

  • This allows us to make sensible, value-based judgements about when it is appropriate to retro-fit standards
  • It ensures clarity by mandating that all standards must define the period of time that they are effective and how they have changed over time
  • It encourages uptake by allowing people to safely adopt the standards that are effective at the time without being committed to any and all possible future changes to those standards
  • It helps people clearly describe and manage their divergence from standards over time and the work required for convergence

Be helpful

We include the use of appropriate tools and techniques when we design our standards

  • Automation makes it easier for people to adopt the standards
  • This makes the standards more likely to be adopted and the benefits more likely to be realised