gds-service-standard

name	gds-service-standard
description	Use when assessing a feature or PR against the GDS Service Standard 14 points, or producing NHS Alpha service assessment evidence.

GDS Service Standard — Assessment Evidence

This skill maps repository evidence to the 14-point GDS Service Standard and identifies gaps for NHS Alpha assessment readiness.

When to Use

• Preparing for an NHS Alpha or Beta assessment
• Reviewing a PR for Service Standard compliance
• Generating an evidence report showing 14-point coverage
• Identifying gaps in documentation, testing, or accessibility requirements

The 14 Points — Evidence Checklist

#	Standard	What to Look For
1	Understand users and their needs	User research artefacts, personas, user stories
2	Solve a whole problem for users	Service map, end-to-end journey
3	Provide a joined-up experience	Consistent with NHS.UK, NHS App
4	Make the service simple to use	NHS Design System components, one-thing-per-page
5	Make sure everyone can use the service	WCAG 2.2 AA, axe-core results, assistive tech testing
6	Have a multidisciplinary team	Team roles documented, clinical + IG input
7	Use agile ways of working	Sprints, backlog (GitHub Issues), retros
8	Iterate and improve frequently	Git log shows iterative commits, not big-bang
9	Create a secure service	Security headers, dependency scanning, Key Vault
10	Define what success looks like	KPIs, performance targets, k6 thresholds
11	Choose the right tools and technology	ADRs explaining technology choices
12	Make new source code open	Public repo, open licence
13	Use and contribute to open standards	FHIR, OpenAPI, NHS Data Dictionary
14	Operate a reliable service	Monitoring, /health endpoint, runbook

Output Format

Create a new file at docs/gds-assessment.md. Do not edit this skill file — it is a reference, not a template to fill in.

Generate docs/gds-assessment.md with a table:

| # | Standard | Status | Evidence | Gaps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Understand users | ✅ Met / ⚠️ Partial / ❌ Not met | [file links] | [what's missing] |

Rules

• Link to specific files and line numbers — not vague references
• An Alpha assessment accepts partial evidence with a plan to complete
• Always check both GDS standard AND NHS-specific angle (clinical safety, IG, design system)

References

• GDS Service Standard
• NHS service standard
• NHS Technology Code of Practice