A
Agile
Agile is a project management methodology which focuses on delivering value and outcomes to users quicker than traditional waterfall approaches.
Instead of delivering everything in one go, features are delivered iterativley by teams working on focused tasks to deliver an outcome.
Read the Agile Manifesto (opens in new tab)
Agile delivery on GOV.UK Service Manual (opens in new tab)
Alpha
A phase in the delivery lifecycle which is after discovery and before beta.
In the alpha phase, you're expected to test your riskiest assumptions, build prototypes, try different solutions to solve your problems to meet you user needs.
You may also have a service assessment before the end of your alpha phase.
B
Beta
A phase in the delivery lifecycle which is after alpha and before live.
Beta may be split into private beta and public beta.
C
D
Design history
Like a blog, it helps teams to talk about changes to services and how data, research, or other factors change a service.
We have a service where all DfE's design histories are published.
Discovery
A phase in the delivery lifecycle which is the first phase and before alpha.
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
Live
A phase in the delivery lifecycle which is the final phase and after beta.
M
MVP
MVP is an acronym for Minimum Viable Product. This is used to describe a service with meets the minimum requirements of a user need.
It is often used to describe the first release or iteration of a service.
MVS
MVS is an acronym for Minimum Viable Service. Same as MVP
N
O
P
Private beta
A phase in beta where testing of a service is carried out with a closed group of users.
This allows service teams to work with the users to better understand any problems and get targeted feedback. It also allows teams to understand service performance without being overwhelmed with users.
Public beta
A phase in beta where testing of a service is unrestricted to users.
Q
R
S
Service assessments
A formal process which happens in the discovery, alpha, and beta phases to ensure teams are working to, and delivering against, the Service Standard.
You can use the Apply the Service Standard in DfE service for guidance in meeting the standard in DfE.
Service Standard
The 14 point Service Standard helps teams to build good services and is measured through service assessments.
T
U
User need
User needs are the needs that a user has of a service, and which that service must satisfy for the user to get the right outcome for them.
Lean about users and their needs (opens in new tab)