Overview
The Home Office, a critical ministerial department of the UK Government, embarked on an initiative to enhance its digital infrastructure by maintaining curated registers of systems, technology, and services. To support this, they required a specialist Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) supplier to take ownership of the roadmaps and strategies for these registers and aid in the development of their IT strategy. OB Collective was selected to fulfil this crucial role.
Objectives
To support the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in maintaining and enhancing the system and technology registers.
To develop and implement roadmaps and strategies for these registers.
To contribute to the Home Office IT strategy by providing architectural and product management support.
Deliverables
1. Project Planning and KPI Agreement
Preparation of a detailed project plan.
Agreement on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with the Office of the Chief Minister (OCM).
2. Framework Development
Assisting in the development of a framework to measure the cost and business impact on the HO IT Strategy.
Supporting benefits and investment cases for new or existing change initiatives
3. Guidance and Consultancy
Providing guidance to register owners and custodians on content management and engagement.
Ensuring alignment with existing custodianship activities
4. Collaboration with Sparx Service
Working closely with the Sparx Service owner and community
Managing the Sparx Enterprise Architecture (EA) product roadmap
5. Technical Design and Implementation
Assisting with the technical design and direction of the Sparx EA service and key register products within the CTO
Demonstrating a detailed knowledge of technical requirements to implement, design, and manage associated technologies
6. IT Strategy Contribution
Contributing to the creation and refinement of the Home Office’s IT strategy, including drafting, consultation, review, and impact analysis
Reviewing the current IT landscape and identifying opportunities and constraints
7. Service Improvements and Governance
Designing and suggesting service improvements
Implementing processes and governance for registers, ensuring alignment with existing custodianship and governance
Designing consistent ways of working and standard architectural views that align with the CTO EA
8. Future Technology Advisory
Anticipating and advising on future technologies that present opportunities for the Home Office
9. Change Programme Scoping
Scoping change programmes considering ongoing and new strategic initiative
Supporting the management of IT Strategy, Enterprise Architecture (EA), Principles, Policies, Standards, and Reference Architectures for the Home Office
10. Knowledge Transfer and Handover
Ensuring appropriate transfer of knowledge and handover to Home Office personnel
SOW Extension
During the SOW extension period (Sep 2023 to Mar 2024), OB Collective focused on:
Continuing the development of Registers practice and tools.
Supporting Sparx tools and tooling pilots.
Transitioning Sparx to Software as a Service (SaaS) or other support as required.
Supporting governance and architecture practice development.
Providing product management and architecture advice for IT strategy.
Outcome
Enhanced management and strategic direction of the System and Technology Registers.
A more robust and aligned IT strategy for the Home Office.
Improved processes and governance for maintaining and updating the registers.
Successful transition of Sparx tools to SaaS, ensuring better support and scalability.
Increased efficiency and alignment across various technology and service initiatives within the Home Office.