Term | Meaning |
Key terms | |
Described in the Government Transformation Strategy as adopting "the tools, technology and approaches of the internet age". Narrower interpretations refer solely to online web-based services. Wider interpretations can include modern approaches to redesigning end-to-end systems and processes around users' needs. |
The Government Transformation Strategy states: "when we say transformation, we mean a significant step change in the way a government organisation delivers its service and in the way it operates." Transformation can be used more widely to denote any major change programme, and is sometimes used to describe major headcount reductions that might not substantially redesign services. |
Describes transformation involving a significant change in technology. As many transformation programmes are likely to be enabled by changes in technology in some way, the term usually suggests a central role for technology in achieving transformation. Narrower interpretations assume a major role for online web-based services in changing operations. Broader interpretations include a wider approach to transformation starting from users' needs. |
Other terms |
An approach which emphasises undertaking work in short, iterative phases. At the end of each phase, a working product is produced which users can test and provide feedback to help improve functionality in subsequent iterations. The development team can accommodate changes in requirements or technology because the system is built up incrementally. |
A set of commands, functions, protocols and objects that programmers can use to create software or interact with an external system. It provides developers with standard commands for performing common operations so they do not have to write the code from scratch. |
The 2012 Government Digital Strategy defines this as "digital services that are so straightforward and convenient that all those who can use them will choose to do so while those who can't are not excluded". |
One of the 25 professions in the civil service. Each profession develops its own competency framework and promotes raising standards, career development opportunities and collaboration across the civil service. |
Twenty-five major public services identified in the 2012 government and departmental digital strategies for end-to-end service redesign using the Digital Service Standard. The aim was to apply the learning gained to increase digital capability across the civil service and complete the redesign of all other transactional services handling over 100,000 transactions each year by the end of the subsequent spending review period. |
A set of centralised procurement frameworks with suppliers for technology and specialist services, which public sector organisations can buy online through the digital marketplace without having to enter into full tendering exercises. |
The single website for central government, which was launched in 2012 to replace Business Link, Directgov and the separate websites of individual government departments. |
An identity assurance platform for online government services. It adopts a federated approach whereby a user creates an account with one or more private sector identity providers of their choice which have been approved by GDS as meeting certain standards. |
A process that determines, to a required level of assurance, whether an identity exists and belongs to the person who is claiming it. |
A single, secure 'network of networks' for internal government use to facilitate the sharing of information between public sector organisations. |
The government defines SMEs as businesses with fewer than 250 employees, with a turnover of less than, or equal to, 50 million euros, or a balance sheet total of less than, or equal to, 43 million euros. |