# Release notes for the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework _(previously DDaT Profession Capability Framework)_ These release notes are currently available as a text file and formatted in markdown. We will publish them as a webpage later in 2026. ## 28 August 2026 ### Summary - 1 new role description: agile coach - 3 roles improved in collaboration with cross-government working group of subject matter experts: - business analyst - business relationship manager - data and artificial intelligence (AI) ethicist (previously 'data ethicist') - 10 skills have been updated to improve accuracy and clarity, or to complete their descriptions so they can be used by new role levels - 2 new skills have been added to the framework - 1 skill has been removed from the framework ### New #### Agile coach Agile coach has been added to the framework. The role requires the skills: - Agile and Lean practices - coaching in an agile environment - community collaboration - consultancy - making a process work - team dynamics and collaboration ### Changed #### Business analyst These skills required by the role have been updated: - business modelling - business and user acceptance testing, previously 'testing (business analysis)' - user experience insight analysis, previously 'user experience analysis' The role now requires the new skill 'change, benefits and adoption analysis'. The skill 'enterprise and business architecture (business analyst)' has been removed from the role. #### Business relationship manager The role has a new level of 'head of business relationship management'. The description for the level 'lead business relationship manager' has been updated to accommodate the new level. #### Data and artificial intelligence (AI) ethicist The name of the role has been updated to 'data and artificial intelligence (AI) ethicist' to reflect changes in its scope and typical responsibilities across the public sector. This has changed the URL of the page to: [https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/role/data-and-artificial-intelligence-ai-ethicist](https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/role/data-and-artificial-intelligence-ai-ethicist) We will put in a redirect from the old URL ([https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/role/data-ethicist](https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/role/data-ethicist) to the new URL. The role has two new levels: 'data and AI ethicist' and 'senior data and AI ethicist'. The lead level has been renamed 'lead data and AI ethicist' to be consistent with framework naming conventions for roles. Role and role level descriptions have been updated to reflect all these changes. Some skills required by the role have been updated so that the new levels can require them and to better meet guidelines for framework skill descriptions: - analysis and synthesis for data and AI ethics, previously 'analysis and synthesis (data ethics)' - applied social sciences - data and AI ethics communication, previously 'communication (data ethics) - applied empathy and inclusivity, previously 'empathy and inclusivity' - managing decisions and risk - data and AI ethics product management, previously 'product ownership (data ethics) #### Skills A to Z 2 new skills added to [Skills A to Z](https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/skills): - change, benefits and adoption analysis - coaching in an agile environment 10 skills with improved descriptions: - analysis and synthesis for data and AI ethics - level descriptions added and renamed, previously 'analysis and synthesis (data ethics)' - applied empathy and inclusivity - level descriptions added and renamed, previously 'empathy and inclusivity' - applied social sciences - level descriptions added - business modelling - updated to incorporate relevant parts of the removed skill ‘enterprise and business architecture (business analysis)' - business and user acceptance testing - renamed and updated to be more specific for a business analysis context, was previously 'testing (business analysis)' - data and AI ethics communication - level descriptions added and renamed, previously 'communication (data ethics) - data and AI ethics product management - level descriptions added and renamed, previously 'product ownership (data ethics) - managing decisions and risk - corrected by moving requirements that were incorrectly in 'awareness' level description to the 'working' level - ownership and initiative - 'expert' level added, so it can be required by 'head of business relationship management' - user experience insight analysis - renamed and updated to be more specific for a business analysis context (was previously 'user experience analysis') and a description for 'expert' level has been created and is required by 'head of business analysis'. 1 skill removed as it is no longer required by any role: - enterprise and business architecture (business analysis) #### Most common Civil Service job grades Following the latest government workforce data, 34 role levels have had their most common [Civil Service job grades](https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/job-grades) updated: - junior accessibility specialist - analytics engineer - head of analytics engineering - senior analytics engineer - application operations engineer - principal application operations engineer - lead business analyst - trainee business analyst - change and release manager - configuration analyst - head of content design - delivery manager - junior digital evaluator - digital evaluator - senior digital evaluator - head of digital evaluation - head of portfolio - frontend developer - associate infrastructure engineer - interaction designer - lead machine learning engineer - head of performance analysis - lead performance analyst - associate quality assurance test analyst - senior quality assurance test analyst - security architect - service acceptance analyst - service readiness analyst - associate solution architect - lead solution architect - solution architect - associate technical architect - associate test engineer - lead test engineer *** ## 29 May 2026 ### Summary - 2 roles improved in collaboration with cross-government working group of subject matter experts: content designer and data engineer - 7 other roles affected by changes to content of skills they share - 8 skills have been updated to improve clarity, accuracy, complete their descriptions and make them usable by more roles - 1 new skill has been added to the framework ### Changed #### Analytics engineer The skill 'data innovation' has been updated. #### Content designer The role now requires the skills: - design communication - designing for everyone - designing strategically - designing together - evidence-based design - iterative design - leading design These skills have been removed from the role: - agile working (content design) - content concepts and prototyping - stakeholder relationship management (content design) - strategic thinking (content design) - user focus (content design) - user-centred content design The description for the role level 'junior content designer' has been updated to remove the reference to needing a graduate degree. This follows guidelines for role descriptions. #### Data architect The skill 'data innovation' has been updated. #### Data engineer The skill 'technical understanding' has been removed from the role. The skill 'data innovation' has been updated. #### Data governance manager The skill 'data innovation' has been updated. #### Skills A to Z 1 new skill added to [Skills A to Z](https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/skills): - content management and architecture 6 skills with improved descriptions: - data innovation - design communication - designing for everyone - designing strategically - designing together - evidence-based design - iterative design - leading design 5 skills removed as they are no longer required by any role: - agile working (content design) - content concepts and prototyping - stakeholder relationship management (content design) - strategic thinking (content design) - user focus (content design) * * * ## 28 November 2025 ### Summary - 4 roles improved in collaboration with cross-government working group of subject matter experts: business analyst, data engineer, test engineer, test manager - 1 other role affected by changes to content of skills they share - 6 skills have been updated to improve clarity, accuracy, complete their descriptions and make them usable by more roles - 1 new skill has been added to the framework ### Changed #### Business analyst The skills ‘business modelling’, ‘digital and data systems analysis’, previously ‘systems analysis’, and ‘defining and managing user and business needs’, previously ‘requirements definition and management’ have been updated. The skill ‘consultancy’ has been removed from the role. #### Data engineer The skills ‘data development process management’, ‘data integration design’ and programming and build (data and analytics engineering), previously ‘programming and build (data engineering)’ have been updated.‘ The skill ‘testing’ has been removed from the role. #### Test engineer The test engineer role has a new role description and new role level descriptions. #### Test manager The test manager role has a new role description and new role level descriptions. #### Skills A to Z 1 new skill added to [Skills A to Z](https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/skills): - data compliance and security 6 improved skills, including name changes: - business modelling - data development process management - data integration design - defining and managing business needs, user needs and requirements, previously ‘requirements definition and management’ - digital and data systems analysis, previously ‘systems analysis’ - programming and build (data and analytics engineering), previously ‘programming and build (data engineering)’ * * * ## 29 August 2025 ### Summary - 1 new role, chief digital and information officer - 4 roles improved in collaboration with cross-government working group of subject matter experts: business analyst, business relationship manager, data analyst, quality assurance test analyst - 3 other roles affected by changes to content of skills they share with a new role - 9 new skills have been added to the framework - 5 skills have been updated to improve clarity, accuracy and make them usable by more roles - 2 skills are being removed from the framework as they are no longer required by any role - 1 role level for content designer with a correction to a skill level description ### New #### Chief digital and information officer Chief digital and information officer has been added to the framework. The role requires the skills: - capability building for digital, data and technology - innovation in digital, data and technology - ensuring resilience of digital, data and technology - financial management for digital, data and technology - leading digital products and services - making strategic performance-led change - optimising technology and data architecture - shaping the direction of organisational strategy through digital, data and technology ### Changed #### Business analyst The business analyst role now includes the new skill ‘context, problem and option analysis’. The skill ‘business analysis’ has been removed from the role. #### Business relationship manager Business relationship manager has updated skills, role description and role level description. The skills 'service focus’ and ‘strategic thinking’ have been updated. The skills ‘asset and configuration management’ and ‘IT service reporting’ have been removed from the role. #### Data analyst Data analyst has updated skills, role description and role level descriptions. The role level ‘associate analyst’ has been renamed ‘associate data analyst’. The role now includes the new skills ‘delivering business impact through data’ and ‘managing a data project’. The skill ‘project management’ has been removed from the role. #### Quality assurance test analyst Quality assurance test analyst has updated role description and role level descriptions. #### Skills A to Z 9 new skills added to [Skills A to Z](https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/skills): - context, problem and option analysis - delivering business impact through data - ensuring resilience of digital, data and technology (Senior Civil Service skill) - financial management for digital, data and technology (Senior Civil Service skill) - leading digital products and services (Senior Civil Service skill) - making strategic performance-led change (Senior Civil Service skill) - managing a data project - optimising technology and data architecture (Senior Civil Service skill) - shaping the direction of organisational strategy through digital, data and technology (Senior Civil Service skill) 2 skills removed from the Skills A to Z: - project management - business analysis 4 improved skills, including name changes: - capability building in digital, data and technology (Senior Civil Service skill), was ‘capability building for digital and data teams’ - innovation in digital, data and technology (Senior Civil Service skill), was ’innovation in digital and data’ - service focus - strategic thinking 1 corrected skill: - iterative design, content error corrected in ‘awareness’ level requirement #### Most common Civil Service job grades Following the latest government workforce data, 20 role levels have had their most common [Civil Service job grades](https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/job-grades) updated: - associate application operations engineer - associate content designer - associate end user computing engineer - associate interaction designer - configuration analyst - data ethics lead - data governance manager - head of data science - head of user research - IT service analyst - junior DevOps engineer - principal DevOps engineer - principal developer - principal end user computing engineer - principal infrastructure engineer - senior delivery manager - senior operations analyst - service readiness analyst - senior technical architect - service transition manager #### Content designer Corrected an error in the content designer role level. The level was displaying the practitioner level description for the skill 'strategic thinking'. This has been corrected to 'strategic thinking (content design)' to match the other role levels. * * * ## 25 July 2025 ### New - New page published, 'Civil Service job grades', at /job-grades. This page is linked from every role level to provide more information about the grades they include, for example explaining that they are not mandatory, and how they are calculated - New page published, ‘Download framework content’, at /download. It offers links to download 3 CSV files: - role content, in the same format as the spreadsheet version of the framework - skill descriptions, including which roles use each skill - change notes * * * ## 30 May 2025 ### Summary - 1 new role, digital evaluator - 6 roles improved in collaboration with cross-government working group of subject matter experts: business analyst, data analyst, quality assurance test analyst (was ‘quality assurance testing (QAT) analyst’), test engineer, test manager and service owner - 7 other roles affected by changes to content of skills they share with new or updated roles - 14 new skills have been added to the framework - 8 skills have been updated to improve clarity, accuracy and make them usable by more roles - 14 skills are being removed from the framework as they are no longer required by any role or have been merged with another similar skill ### New #### Digital evaluator Digital evaluator has been added to the framework. The role requires the skills: - communicating analysis and insight - data ethics and privacy - evaluation delivery - evaluation planning and strategy - monitoring and evaluation across the product life cycle - product and service monitoring - quality assurance of data and analysis ### Changed #### Business analyst The business analyst role has been refreshed with updated skills. The role now requires the skills: - adapting to delivery methodologies - business analysis - business modelling - business process improvement - consultancy - enterprise and business architecture (business analyst) - requirements definition and management - stakeholder relationship management - systems analysis - testing (business analysis) - user experience analysis These skills have been removed from the role: - agile working - business process testing - methods and tools #### Data analyst The data analyst role has been refreshed with updated skills. The role now requires the skills: - applying statistical and analytical tools and techniques - communicating between the technical and non-technical - data ethics and privacy - data management - data preparation and linkage - data visualisation - developing code for analysis - project management These skills have been removed from the role: - analysis and synthesis (data analyst) - data modelling, cleansing and enrichment - data quality assurance, validation and linkage - IT and mathematics - logical and creative thinking - statistical methods and data analysis #### Quality assurance test analyst (was ‘quality assurance testing (QAT) analyst’) The ‘quality assurance testing (QAT) analyst’ role has been renamed quality assurance test analyst. This has changed the URL of the page to: [https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/role/quality-assurance-testing-analyst](https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/role/quality-assurance-testing-analyst) We have put in a redirect from the old URL ([https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/role/quality-assurance-testing-qat-analyst](https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/role/quality-assurance-testing-qat-analyst) to the new URL. This name change is reflected in all 4 role levels: - associate quality assurance test analyst, was ‘tester (QAT)’ - quality assurance test analyst, was ‘quality assurance testing (QAT) analyst’ - senior quality assurance test analyst, was ‘senior quality assurance testing (QAT) analyst’ - lead quality assurance test analyst, was ‘lead quality assurance testing (QAT) analyst’ The quality assurance test analyst role has been refreshed with updated skills. The role now requires the skills: - communicating between the technical and non-technical - designing and executing tests - managing, reporting and resolving defects - test analysis - test and quality planning - test engineering These skills have been removed from the role: - functional testing - non-functional testing - technical breadth #### Test engineer The ‘tester (test engineer)’ role level has been renamed associate test engineer. The test engineer role has been refreshed with updated skills. The role now requires the skills: - communicating between the technical and non-technical - designing and executing tests - managing, reporting and resolving defects - test analysis - test and quality planning - test engineering These skills have been removed from the role: - functional testing - non-functional testing - technical breadth #### Test manager The test manager role has been refreshed with updated skills. The role now requires the skills: - communicating between the technical and non-technical - designing and executing tests - managing, reporting and resolving defects - test analysis - test and quality planning - test engineering These skills have been removed from the role: - functional testing - non-functional testing - technical breadth #### Service owner The service owner role has been refreshed with updated skills, a new role description and a new role level description. The role now requires the skills: - adapting to delivery methodologies - applying user-centred insights - financial ownership - governance and assurance - leading performance and benefits - life cycle management - operational management - stakeholder relationship management - strategic ownership These skills have been removed from the role: - agile working - Government Digital and Data perspective - problem management - product ownership #### Skills A to Z 14 new skills have been added to the [Skills A to Z](https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/skills): - adapting to delivery methodologies - applying statistical and analytical tools and techniques - data ethics and privacy - data preparation and linkage - designing and executing tests - developing code for analysis - evaluation delivery - evaluation planning and strategy - leading performance and benefits - managing, reporting and resolving defects - monitoring and evaluation across the product life cycle - product and service monitoring - test and quality planning - test engineering 8 skills improved so that they are clearer, more accurate and easier to understand: - business process improvement - communicating analysis and insight - data visualisation - financial ownership - governance and assurance - operational management - test analysis - quality assurance of data and analysis, previously ‘verification and validation of data and analysis’ 14 skills removed from the framework due to no longer being required by any role: - analysis and synthesis (data analyst) - business process testing - data quality assurance, validation and linkage - data regulation and ethics - ethics and privacy - ethics and privacy (data science) - functional testing - Government Digital and Data perspective - IT and mathematics - logical and creative thinking - non-functional testing - product ownership - statistical methods and data analysis - technical breadth 1 skill renamed to better reflect requirements: - quality assurance of data and analysis, previously ‘verification and validation of data and analysis’ * * * ## 28 February 2025 ### Summary - 1 role, product manager, has had their role description, role level descriptions and skills refreshed. This follows a 12-month review process involving a cross-government design working group. - 5 new skills have been added to the framework related to the product manager role. - 1 skill has been renamed to better match its requirements. - 6 skills have been improved so that they are clearer and easier to understand. This follows a cross-government fact check process and community led research this quarter. - 2 skills have been removed from the framework as they are no longer used by any role. - 1 role level has a new indicative grade. ### Changed #### Product manager The role description for product manager and all product manager role levels have been updated. The role has also been refreshed with updated skills. The role now requires the skills: - Agile and Lean practices - applying user-centred insights - creating value for money - life cycle management - managing product outcomes - product leadership - product management - stakeholder relationship management - strategic ownership #### Skills A to Z 5 skills have been added to the [Skills A to Z page](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/skills.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299518316&usg=AOvVaw16Lm9x9EzGVk3VLzyK3Bt3): - applying user-centred insights - creating value for money - managing product outcomes - product leadership - product management 1 skill has been renamed to better reflect their requirements: - life cycle management, was ‘life cycle perspective’ 6 skills have been improved so that they are more accurate, clearer and easier to understand: - Agile and Lean practices - communicating between the technical and non-technical - data management - life cycle management, was ‘life cycle perspective’ - stakeholder relationship management - strategic ownership 2 skills removed due to being no longer required by any role: - stakeholder relationship management (business analysis) - working within constraints #### Most common Civil Service job grades 1 role level has a corrected indicative grade: - lead business analyst now has indicative grades of G7 and G6, this was previously only given as ‘G7’ * * * ## 30 November 2024 ### Summary - 3 roles, graphic designer, interaction designer and service designer, have had their skills refreshed. This follows a 12-month review process involving a cross-government design working group. - 7 new skills have been added to the framework related to user-centred design roles. - 4 skills have been renamed to better match their requirements. - 20 skills have been improved so that they are clearer and easier to understand. This follows a cross-government fact check process this quarter. - 9 skills have been removed due to being merged with a similar skill. - 4 skills have been removed from the framework as they are no longer used by any role. ## Changed #### Chief data officer The role description for chief data officer has been updated. The list of typical responsibilities for the role makes clear that the strategy for your organisation's data should align with wider government data strategy. #### Graphic designer The graphic designer role has been refreshed with updated skills. The role now requires the new skills: - design communication - designing for everyone - designing strategically - designing together - evidence-based design - iterative design - leading design These skills have been removed from the role: - agile working - communicating between the technical and non-technical - community collaboration - digital perspective - evidence- and context-based design - tools and software - leadership and guidance - prototyping in code - prototyping - strategic thinking - user focus - working within constraints #### Interaction designer The interaction designer role has been refreshed with updated skills. The role now requires the new skills: - design communication - designing for everyone - designing strategically - designing together - evidence-based design - iterative design - leading design These skills have been removed from the role: - agile working - communicating between the technical and non-technical - community collaboration - digital perspective - evidence- and context-based design - leadership and guidance - prototyping in code - prototyping - strategic thinking - user focus - working within constraints #### Service designer The service designer role has been refreshed with updated skills. The role now requires the new skills: - design communication - designing for everyone - designing strategically - designing together - evidence-based design - iterative design - leading design These skills have been removed from the role: - agile working - communicating between the technical and non-technical - community collaboration - digital perspective - evidence- and context-based design - leadership and guidance - managing decisions and risks - prototyping in code - prototyping - strategic thinking - user focus - working within constraints #### Skills A to Z 7 skills have been added to the [Skills A to Z page](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/skills.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299524207&usg=AOvVaw3ZahS0StY6BsOxyZfNGERK): - design communication - designing for everyone - designing strategically - designing together - evidence-based design - iterative design - leading design 4 skills have been renamed to better reflect their requirements: - applied social sciences, previously ‘applied knowledge of social sciences’ - data engineering, previously 'data engineering and manipulation' - modern development standards, previously 'modern standards approach' - IT service reporting, previously 'service reporting' 20 skills have been improved so that they are more accurate, clearer and easier to understand: - applied social sciences, previously 'applied knowledge of social sciences' - asset and configuration management - availability and capacity management - coding and scripting - community collaboration - consultancy - cyber incident management, previously 'cyber incident strategy and management’ - data engineering, previously 'data engineering and manipulation' - data standards - data visualisation - development process optimisation - information security - IT infrastructure - IT service reporting, previously 'service reporting' - modern development standards, previously 'modern standards approach' - problem management - security technology - service management framework knowledge - service support - systems integration 9 skills have been removed due to being merged with a similar skill: - coding and scripting (infrastructure engineer), merged with 'coding and scripting' - communication, merged with 'communicating between the technical and non-technical' - community collaboration (frontend developer), merged with 'community collaboration' - consultancy (business analysis), merged with 'consultancy' - data standards (data architect), merged with 'data standards' - development process optimisation (management), merged with 'development process optimisation' - IT infrastructure (network architect), merged with 'IT infrastructure' - problem resolution (data), merged with 'problem management' - systems integration (network architect), merged with 'systems integration' 4 skills removed due to being no longer required by any role - digital perspective - evidence-and-context-based design - prototyping in code - tools and software * * * ## 22 October 2024 ### Changed #### Data governance manager Corrected an error in the indicative job grades for the first role level, 'data governance manager'. The grades for this level were corrected to 'SEO and G7', instead of 'HEO and G7'. #### User researcher Corrected an error in the role level 'senior user researcher'. The skill levels for 'research management, leadership and assurance' and 'stakeholder relationship management' were corrected to 'practitioner', instead of ‘working'. * * * ## 7 October 2024 ### New #### Chief data officer The role of chief data officer has been published following research and development with role holders and the digital and data community across government. The role uses skills that list digital and data requirements together with examples of leadership needed to be effective in a Senior Civil Service role. #### Chief information security officer The role of chief information security officer has been published following research and development with role holders and the digital and data community across government. The role uses skills that list digital and data requirements together with examples of leadership needed to be effective in a Senior Civil Service role. #### Chief technology officer The role of chief technology officer has been published following research and development with role holders and the digital and data community across government. The role uses skills that list digital and data requirements together with examples of leadership needed to be effective in a Senior Civil Service role. ## Changed #### Skills A to Z 16 skills for the new Senior Civil Service roles have been added to the [Skills A to Z page](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/skills&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299529372&usg=AOvVaw2xzqDR-U7BTSaMbCXaLRS3): - capability building for digital and data teams - changing security culture - cyber incident strategy and management - cyber risk management - cyber security governance - data architecture - data governance leadership - data risk management - financial decision making for technology - innovation in digital and data - security architecture - strategic cyber security planning - strategic data planning - strategic technology planning - technology architecture - technology evaluation Roles that use these skills (such as chief technology officer or chief data officer) do not have role levels and so their skills do not have levels. Instead, each skill description lists digital and data requirements together with examples of leadership needed to be effective in a Senior Civil Service role. * * * ## 30 August 2024 ### Summary - 2 new roles have been added to the framework, ‘analytics engineer’ and ‘machine learning engineer’. - 3 new skills have been added to the framework related to the role of user researcher. - 2 skills have been renamed to better match their requirements. - 1 role, user researcher, has had its skills refreshed. This follows a 12-month review process with a cross-government user research working group. - 9 skills have been improved so that they are clearer and easier to understand. - 3 skills have been removed from the framework as they are no longer used by any role. - 1 role, frontend developer, has had a correction to the skill level needed for one of its role levels. ### New #### Analytics engineer The role of analytics engineer has been developed with a cross-government analytics engineering working group. The role has 5 role levels (trainee analytics engineer, analytics engineer, senior analytics engineer, lead analytics engineer and head of analytics engineering). The role uses existing skills. #### Machine learning engineer The role of machine learning engineer has been developed with a user researcher and stakeholders from senior leadership teams across government. The role has 2 role levels (senior machine learning engineer and lead machine learning engineer). The role uses existing skills. ### Changed #### User researcher The user research role has been refreshed with updated skills. The role now requires the new skills ‘agile research practices’, ‘research management, leadership and assurance’ and ‘user-centred practice and advocacy’. The ‘research’ skill has been renamed ‘user research methods’. The skills ‘society and technology’, ‘strategic insight’ and ‘user-centred and agile practices’ have been removed from the role. #### Frontend developer For the skill ‘leadership and guidance (frontend developer)’, corrected an error where the description for 'working' level had been added to the 'practitioner' level, and was missing as a separate level. The relevant requirements have been moved to 'working' and removed from 'practitioner'. This change affects the role level 'frontend developer' which now uses the 'working' level description for this skill, as originally intended. It also affects 'senior frontend developer' which uses the 'practitioner' level that now has fewer requirements listed. #### Skills A to Z 3 skills have been added to the [Skills A to Z page](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/skills.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299533655&usg=AOvVaw0iO6kaJlze591Gf0e_rheU): - agile research practices - research management, leadership and assurance - user-centred practice and advocacy 2 skills have been renamed: - user research methods, previously ‘research’ - data maturity, previously ‘data maturity models’ 9 skills have had non-factual wording changes to improve clarity and better meet the guidelines for framework skills: - business modelling - business process improvement - business process testing - change management - continuity management - customer service management - data maturity - metadata management - web performance optimisation 3 skills have been removed: - society and technology - strategic insight - user-centred and agile practices * * * ## 31 May 2024 ### Summary - The skills for 3 architecture roles (enterprise architect, solution architect, technical architect) have been refreshed. This follows a 12-month review process with a cross-government Architecture working group. - 3 new skills related to architecture have been added to the [Skills A to Z page](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/skills.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299535362&usg=AOvVaw1My47okPKQg3j5h4wvTFGl). 2 existing skills have been updated. - 6 skills have been removed from the framework as they are no longer used by any role. This included replacing 2 duplicate skills with their identical main version to increase shared skills and make clearer the potential pathways between related roles. ### Changed #### Enterprise architect The enterprise architect role has been refreshed with updated skills. Role now requires the skills 'architect for the whole context', 'architecture communication', 'making architectural decisions' and 'strategy design'. The 'enterprise and business architecture' skill has been renamed 'enterprise architecture'. All proficiency level descriptions for 'problem definition and shaping' and 'enterprise architecture' have been updated. The skills 'communicating between the technical and non-technical', 'governance and assurance', 'Government Digital and Data perspective', 'making and guiding decisions' have been removed from the role. #### Solution architect The solution architect role has been refreshed with updated skills. Role now requires the skills 'community collaboration', 'making architectural decisions', 'problem definition and shaping', 'strategy design', and 'technical design throughout the life cycle'. The skills 'governance and assurance', 'life cycle perspective', 'making and guiding decisions', 'requirements definition and management', 'strategy' and 'technical breadth' have been removed from the role. #### Technical architect The technical architect role has been refreshed with updated skills. Role now requires the skills 'architect for the whole context', 'architecture communication', 'community collaboration', 'making architectural decisions', 'strategy design', and 'technical design throughout the life cycle'. The skills 'communicating between the technical and non-technical (technical architect)', 'governance and assurance', 'making and guiding decisions', 'strategy', 'turning business problems into technical design' and 'understanding the whole context' have been removed from the role. #### Data architect The data architect role now requires the 'problem management' skill instead of 'problem management (data architect)'. The content of the skill description at each level has not changed. #### Frontend developer The frontend developer role now requires the 'modern standards approach' skill instead of 'modern standards approach (frontend developer)'. The content of the skill description at each level has not changed. #### Skills A to Z page The following 3 skills have been added to the [Skills A to Z page](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/skills.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299538324&usg=AOvVaw3ODCGLq3zUahDcM0rdjcrT): - making architectural decisions - strategy design - technical design through the life cycle These 2 existing skills have been updated: - enterprise architecture - name changed from ‘enterprise and business architecture’, updated the text of the proficiency level descriptions - problem definition and shaping - updated the text of the proficiency level descriptions These 6 skills have been removed: - communicating between the technical and non-technical (technical architect) - no longer used by a role - modern standards approach (frontend developer) - incomplete duplicate of ‘modern standards approach’ - problem management (data architect) - incomplete duplicate of ‘problem management’ - strategy - no longer used by a role - turning business problems into technical design - no longer used by a role - understanding the whole context - no longer used by a role #### Indicative job grades Indicative job grades for these 17 roles have been updated according to the latest data from the Workforce Commission survey on the most common grades for these roles across government: - accessibility specialist - business analyst - data analyst - data architect - data engineer - data governance manager - development operations (DevOps) engineer - end user computing engineer - enterprise architect - infrastructure engineer - IT service manager - network architect - performance analyst - security architect - service transition manager - test engineer - user researcher * * * ## 28 February 2024 ### Changed Digital portfolio manager New role in the product and delivery role group. Solution architect New role in the architect role group. Architecture communication New skill added to the [Skills A to Z page](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/skills.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299541060&usg=AOvVaw1Oxb76bTWrwPT1tzymKW3n). Architect for the whole context New skill added to the [Skills A to Z page](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/skills.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299541308&usg=AOvVaw1GOVj_oWGbJAVnu2mnWYsq). * * * ## 1 December 2023 ### Changed The name of the framework has changed to ‘Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework’. This follows the [launch of the new brand for Government Digital and Data](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/digital-skills-rebrand-to-attract-top-tech-talent-to-civil-service&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299541741&usg=AOvVaw1Q96kLu1aRVsgGy7PP1As1). References to ‘DDaT’ have been changed to ‘Government Digital and Data’ across all pages. The 'DDaT perspective' skill has been renamed 'Government Digital and Data perspective'. * * * ## 28 November 2023 ### Changed Business architect New role in the architect role group. Business architecture New skill added to the [Skills A to Z page](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/skills.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299542485&usg=AOvVaw3RtJmuQSJ5geUz4mrRZNJ4). * * * ## 15 September 2023 The Capability Framework has been updated as a whole following a significant redesign. The update includes new guidance pages and functionality, as well as changes to information architecture and content layouts. For more context on the update, [read the blog post, ‘Redesigning the DDaT Capability Framework’](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://digitalpeople.blog.gov.uk/2023/09/18/redesigning-the-ddat-capability-framework/&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299542964&usg=AOvVaw2oipiA657Su_GZYfQpbWew). ### Summary of redesign update - Site has been made fully responsive so it works on both laptops and mobile devices. - Published new page, [Skills A to Z](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/skills.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299543284&usg=AOvVaw2ahUMWY1cmaCzGGDBFmzhr), that enables users to browse the Capability Framework skills, the descriptions of their levels, and the roles that use them. - Published new page, [propose a change](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://ddat-capability-framework.service.gov.uk/propose-a-change.html&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299543503&usg=AOvVaw2TgUIGSEa_UY75vHS-qe56), to give guidance on how to request a change to the framework following its governance principles. - Added an autocomplete search function to enable users to search for roles, role levels and skills. - Added ‘progress bar’ indicators for each skill level (awareness, working, practitioner, expert) to help users understand where the level sits in relation to others. - For skills, simplified the general description of the skill and removed any content duplicating the level descriptions. - On role pages, added the Civil Service job grades that reflect how a role level is commonly graded across government, if available - this information is taken from the Digital, Data, and Technology Workforce Planning Commission and is indicative only, different departments may use different grades. - On role pages, formatted skills into a grid layout and used bullet points for skill descriptions to improve readability. - On role pages, added links to other roles that share the role’s skills to help users identify development opportunities. - On role pages, removed previous general descriptions of skills as these tended to duplicate the skill level content. * * * ## 31 July 2023 ### Changed #### Technical role group The technical role group has been removed. The roles within it were moved into other role groups or removed from the DDaT Profession Capability Framework. #### Software development role group A new software development role group has been added. #### Development operations (DevOps) engineer Development operations (DevOps) engineer has been moved to the new software development role group. #### Frontend developer Frontend developer has been moved to the new software development role group. #### Software developer Software developer has been moved to the new software development role group. #### Infrastructure engineer Infrastructure engineer has been moved to the IT operations role group. #### Specialist infrastructure engineer Specialist infrastructure engineer has been removed from the DDaT Profession Capability Framework. #### Technical specialist architect Technical specialist architect has been removed from the DDaT Profession Capability Framework. #### Architecture role group A new architecture role group has been added. #### Data architect Data architect has been moved to the new architecture role group. #### Enterprise architect Enterprise architect has been moved to the new architecture role group. #### Network architect Network architect has been moved to the new architecture role group. #### Security architect Security architect has been moved to the new architecture role group. #### Technical architect Technical architect has been moved to the new architecture role group. #### Data architect The data architect role has been refreshed, with new role level descriptions and updated skills. The role has been moved from the technical to the data job family. #### Data engineer The ‘data innovation’ skill description has been updated in the section titled ‘Introduction to the role of data engineer’. The ‘data modelling’ skill has been updated at practitioner level. #### Data governance manager New role in the data job family. * * * ## 31 March 2023 ### Changed #### Data architect The data architect role has been refreshed, with new role level descriptions and updated skills. The role has been moved from the technical to the data job family. #### Data engineer The ‘data innovation’ skill description has been updated in the section titled ‘Introduction to the role of data engineer’. The ‘data modelling’ skill has been updated at practitioner level. #### Data governance manager New role in the data job family. ### Fixed #### Data ethicist The ‘problem management (data ethics)’ skill has been renamed simply ‘problem management’. The ‘problem management’ skill level for head of data ethics has been corrected from ‘expert’ to ‘practitioner’ (with no change to the skill description itself). * * * ## 21 December 2022 ### Fixed #### Delivery manager In the 'Introduction to the role of delivery manager' section, the 'commercial management' skill description was a duplicate of ‘financial management’. A new ‘commercial management’ description has been added. #### Programme delivery manager In the 'Introduction to the role of programme delivery manager's section, the 'commercial management' skill description was a duplicate of ‘financial management’. A new ‘commercial management’ description has been added. * * * ## 30 August 2022 ### Summary - This major update includes new roles (accessibility specialist, data ethicist, enterprise architect), fully refreshed roles (business analyst, data scientist), some updated role level and skill descriptions, and multiple fixes and small improvements throughout. - We’ve performed a content design review of all 174 role level and 723 skill level descriptions to improve readability. This includes making non-substantive wording changes (those not requiring review by subject matter experts), explaining acronyms (such as COTS, ETL, IaaS, WAN), fixing any typos and applying GOV.UK style guide where possible. This is in preparation for a forthcoming more substantive rewrite that will apply the findings of our in-progress user research and is likely to require subject matter expert review. - We’ve cleaned up the [DDaT skills catalogue](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vKqWhx_G-Qc3h3NMiR8Vwu3tszoEKiJ9qXEPL4iqCk4/edit?usp%3Dsharing%23gid%3D1352971832&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299550772&usg=AOvVaw3FgD-MeNMm-jvD3rGi50BH) to ensure consistency and reduce duplication across the Capability Framework, as a first step towards a more substantive, industry-benchmarked review. - We’ve completed a full audit of our role and skill database to ensure it’s the definitive source of the most recent information. - We’ve begun using a new database-driven publishing process that significantly improves publishing turnaround times, removes the risk of errors associated with manual information transfer, and can be easily adapted for future redesigns. ### Changed #### Accessibility specialist New role in the user-centred design family. #### Business analyst Fully refreshed role and skill descriptions. New role levels: trainee business analyst, lead business analyst, head of business analysis. Removed role levels: principal business analyst. (Since Aug 2021 an incomplete draft has been available in the [DDaT Profession Capability Knowledge Hub group](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://khub.net/group/digital-data-and-technology-profession-ddat&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299551822&usg=AOvVaw0SPqqE4j0P-UK2Md07E9dK). Please discontinue referring to this.) #### Data ethicist New role in the data family. (Since Aug 2021 an incomplete draft has been available in the [DDaT Profession Capability Knowledge Hub group](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://khub.net/group/digital-data-and-technology-profession-ddat&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299552103&usg=AOvVaw2PWhgkygoFtnnOBoU8DA4Q). Please discontinue referring to this.) #### Data scientist Fully refreshed role and skill descriptions. New role levels: trainee data scientist, associate data scientist, data scientist, principal data scientist, lead data scientist, head of data science. #### Enterprise architect New role. (Since Aug 2021 an incomplete draft has been available in the [DDaT Profession Capability Knowledge Hub group](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://khub.net/group/digital-data-and-technology-profession-ddat&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1786956299552663&usg=AOvVaw2hGDlAJi0XrNxVoV5DwerT). Please discontinue referring to this.) ### Fixed #### Application operations engineer Skills listed in the ‘Introduction to the role of application operations engineer’ were incomplete. The following skills have been restored: - asset and configuration management - availability and capacity management - change management - continual service improvement - service focus - service management framework knowledge - technical specialism - technical understanding - testing #### Command and control centre manager Head of command and control was missing the ‘technical understanding’ (practitioner level) skill. This has been restored. #### Data analyst Skill descriptions for ‘data management’, ‘data modelling, cleansing and enrichment’ and ‘data visualisation’ were incorrect at practitioner and expert levels. These apply to the senior data analyst and principal data analyst role levels. These skill descriptions have been updated. #### Development operations (DevOps) engineer Skills listed in the ‘Introduction to the role of development operations (DevOps) engineer’ were incomplete. The following skills have been written and restored: - development process optimisation - development process optimisation (management) - systems design - systems integration - user focus #### Frontend developer The ‘strategic thinking’ skill was set at the incorrect level for junior frontend developer. This has been corrected to awareness level, instead of working level. #### Infrastructure engineer Skills listed in the ‘Introduction to the role of infrastructure engineer’ were incomplete. The following skills have been restored: - coding and scripting (infrastructure engineer) - service focus - testing #### IT service manager The IT service analyst role level was missing. This has been restored, with a new role level description. #### Product manager The ‘life cycle perspective’ skill was set at the incorrect level for senior product manager and lead product manager. This has been corrected to practitioner level for senior product manager, and to expert level for lead product manager. #### Service desk manager Skills listed in the ‘Introduction to the role of service desk manager’ were incomplete. The following skills have been restored: - problem management - service management framework knowledge #### Service owner Service owner was missing the ‘DDaT perspective’ (practitioner level) skill. This has been restored. #### Service transition manager Lead service transition manager was missing the ‘service focus’ (expert level) skill. This has been written and restored. Software developer Skills listed in the ‘Introduction to the role of software developer’ were incomplete. The following skills have been written and restored: - development process optimisation - development process optimisation (management) - systems design - systems integration #### All roles - Skills are now consistently listed in alphabetical order, to avoid implying priority. - Acronyms are now explained for all terms (such as COTS, ETL, IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, SLA, LAN, WAN). - Readability has been improved and GOV.UK style guide applied where possible to do so without incurring the need for subject matter expert review. - Typos and formatting issues have been corrected throughout. - Skills have been renamed where necessary to ensure consistency across the Capability Framework. Where the renaming might be sufficient to cause confusion, details have been included in the public change notes on each role page.