Technology Assurance Framework
The Technology Assurance Framework supports programmes and projects to deliver successful outcomes. The Framework is intended to improve delivery and ensure that the lessons learned from previous experience are reflected and embedded in future practice.
The framework is managed by the Digital Assurance Office in the Scottish Government.
Engaging with the Digital Assurance Office
The Digital Assurance Office engages with projects in scope to:
- establish points of contact and agree reporting arrangements
- support the development of a integrated assurance and approval plan and timeline
- conduct major project reviews
We also work with the other corporate assurance providers within the Scottish Government’s Directorate for Internal Audit and Assurance, to jointly plan our respective assurance activities and explore opportunities to align project assurance.
Who the Technology Assurance Framework applies to
The Technology Assurance Framework applies to central government organisations, including the Scottish Government. Organisations within scope of the framework must ensure their projects are recorded on the Digital Project Register. The register is the single source of digital project information and is maintained by the Digital Portfolio Office. For further information contact the Digital Portfolio Office.
Scope of the Technology Assurance Framework
The Technology Assurance Framework applies to new digital public services and new investments in technology. Routine business as usual activity is not covered by the framework.
Major Project assurance
Major projects are those which meet the definition of a major investment project in the Scottish Public Finance Manual. Major project reviews (stop/go gates) apply at key stages and projects must satisfy the conditions of the review before moving to the next stage.
For each major project you should provide the Digital Assurance Office with:
- a named project contact to co-ordinate assurance activity and provide regular status update reports
- an integrated assurance and approval plan and timeline
- copies of any risk potential assessment forms prepared as part of the assurance obligations set out in the Scottish Public Finance Manual
The Digital Assurance Office will contact those major and potential major digital projects recorded on the digital project register to discuss assurance needs.
Major project reviews (stop/go gates)
The key stages for assurance set out in the framework cover the following project stages:
- Business justification – considers whether the project has a sound basis at the outset and has a robust Strategic Business Case
- Pre-procurement – considers readiness for commencement of the procurement exercise and whether the commercial risks are understood
- Delivery – considers whether the delivery strategy remains appropriate and there is a valid Full Business Case
- Go live – considers whether the solution is ready to be launched and the organisation is ready to accept the business change
Arranging an Assurance Review
If you already have an assigned lead from the Digital Assurance Office, you should discuss your assurance requirements with that individual. For any projects that don’t already have an assigned lead, please contact the Digital Assurance Office at DigitalAssurance@gov.scot for more information about applying the technology assurance framework within your project.