AI Assisted Software Development Lifecycle

This is an example of how AI could be incorporated across the service delivery phases and SDLC phases to enhance how teams work together to deliver software in government, while reamining mindful of and compliant with security and other government standards.

Overview

This repository contains guidance for UK government teams on how to integrate AI tools into the software development lifecycle across three key phases:

• Discovery: Understanding problems before building solutions
• Alpha: Testing whether your solutions can actually work
• Beta: Building your service for real users

Structure

Discovery Phase

Learn how to use AI to understand user needs, identify constraints, and validate whether a problem is worth solving.

• Discovery Overview
• Citizen Services Playbook
• Data Platform Playbook
• Application Modernisation Playbook
• Infrastructure & Platform Playbook

Alpha Phase

Build prototypes quickly to test your riskiest assumptions and prove your solution approach works.

• Alpha Overview
• Application Modernisation Playbook

Beta Phase

Develop and iterate your service with real users, ensuring it meets government standards and user needs.

• Beta Overview
• Implementation Guides:
  • Plan - Decide what to build next
  • Code - Write software that solves user problems
  • Build - Prepare code changes for testing
  • Test - Make sure everything works properly
  • Release - Coordinate launching new features
  • Deploy - Put your service live for users
  • Operate - Keep your service running smoothly
  • Monitor - Learn from real usage to improve the service
• Service-Specific Playbooks:
  • Citizen-Facing Services
  • Data Platform
  • Application Modernisation
  • Infrastructure & Platform

Key Principles

This guidance follows UK Government standards and principles:

• User-centred design: AI enhances but doesn't replace human decision-making about user needs
• Accessibility first: All services must work for users with different needs and abilities
• Service Standard compliance: Built to meet all 14 points of the Government Service Standard
• Human oversight: AI accelerates development while humans retain control of strategic decisions
• Quality assurance: Maintains government standards for security, performance, and reliability

Getting Started

1. Choose your context: Select the playbook that matches your service type
2. Apply AI enhancement: Use the guidance to integrate AI tools while maintaining quality standards
3. Maintain human control: Ensure all strategic decisions remain with your team

Target Audience

This guidance is designed for:

• Anyone delivering software in government
• Product managers and service owners
• Developers and technical architects
• User researchers and designers
• Digital transformation teams